We’ve known about the plans to build the new Globe Life Field to replace the Rangers current home, Globe Life Park, for a few years now. The construction is coming along at an incredibly fast rate and even though we’re now getting ready for the 2019 season, we’ll blink and it will be time for the 2020 season and the opening of the new-and-improved, air conditioned ballpark.
Before that, there’s still time for Rangers fans to appreciate the team’s home since 1994 by attending any of the 81 home games there this season. Texas has an intriguing slate of opponents this season with the National League Central being the division they face in interleague play in 2019. Beyond interleague play, the schedulers gave Rangers fans a few juicy matchups as their way of saying goodbye to Globe Life Park.
Here are some of the can’t miss matchups at The Ballpark in 2019 and some of the notable promotions during that series (a full schedule with all promotions can be found here):
Chicago Cubs
March 28th through 31st
Interestingly, the Rangers will begin their 2019 campaign with an interleague series that will bring in what has become arguably the most popular team in baseball over the past five years. Whether it was growing up a “WGN Cubs fan” or their unforgettable run to the 2016 World Series title, a bevy of things have made the Cubs one of the trendiest teams to attract bandwagon fans in baseball.
The Rangers haven’t hosted the Cubs in Arlington since a three-game series in May 2010. Game one of that series saw Texas win a 2-1 game started by Colby Lewis and finished off with a save by Neftali Feliz. So yes, it has been a little bit since the Cubs were in Arlington. Better get out there for this series before it’s another decade before they’re back.
Look for former Rangers ace Cole Hamels to start one of the three games of this opening series.
Notable Promotions: March 28th – Magnetic Schedule for first 40k age 21 and up,
Pittsburgh Pirates
April 30th through May 1st
Last September’s firing of former manager Jeff Banister with just nine days left in the season seemed to be a bitter, bitter breakup that the two parties don’t forget. Both the Rangers and Banister have moved on quickly as Texas has gloated about new manager Chris Woodward and Banister has landed a plush gig with his former club in Pittsburgh.
While his new title is just “Special Assistant to the GM”, one would think Banny would find himself in the clubhouse and with the team from time to time throughout the season. Will one of these times when the Bucs make a trip to Arlington? I’m not sure if Banister still has any family in Dallas or if they’ve all followed him back to the Burgh, but it would be interesting to see any “MLB Ballpark Cam” footage of him interacting with Jon Daniels or any of the young Rangers he allegedly butted heads with.
Notable Promotion: May 1st – Dollar Hot Dogs during a day game. Go crazy, folks!
May 17th through 19th
St. Louis Cardinals
Did you watch it?!? Did you torture yourself?!? Sorry to even put you in that position.
This will be the first time the Cardinals have visited Arlington since October 2011 and even though virtually all the faces between the teams are different, it will be hard for Rangers fans to swallow seeing those signature St. Louis uniforms and not immediately flashback to the heartbreak of the 2011 World Series.
St. Louis should be an exciting team this season with the addition of slugger Paul Goldschmidt. Whether we as Rangers fans care to admit it or not, the Cardinals are a terrific organization that is seemingly in the thick of a playoff race each and every season.
Notable promotion: May 15th – Fireworks Friday
June 7th through 9th
Oakland Athletics
The Rangers today announced that the ceremony to retire Adrian Beltre’s number 29 will take place prior to the game on Saturday, June 8 vs. Oakland. Ceremony at 7:35 and game time at 8:05 p.m.
— John Blake (@RangerBlake) February 5, 2019
After Adrian Beltre’s retirement announcement last November, speculation immediately began on when his #29 would be retired by the Rangers. Some thought he might have to wait until they honored Michael Young’s #10 first, but the sure-fire future Hall of Famer in Beltre got the nod instead. Beltre’s #29 will be put on the facade of the second deck in left field alongside Pudge Rodriguez’s #7, Johnny Oates’ #26, Nolan Ryan’s #34 and Jackie Robinson’s #42 on June 8th.
This will be a can’t miss moment either in person or on TV for Rangers fans. Emotions will surely be high since the vast majority of his teammates from last season will be on the top step of the dugout cheering for him that night.
The A’s make their first trip to Arlington in April, so Rangers fans will get to see former infielder Jurickson Profar sooner than this June series, but at least Profar will get to be in town to cheer for Beltre.
Notable promotion – June 8th Adrian Beltre 3000th hit bobble head for first 15k
July 1st through 4th
Los Angeles Angels
As a divisional foe, the Angels make their way to Arlington several times each year, but fresh off his mega-contract, I’m sure star center fielder Mike Trout will garner a bit more attention each time he’s in town. Pairing Trout with the bat of the reigning American League Rookie of the Year in Shohei Ohtani, there’s plenty of opportunity for fireworks when the Angels are in town.
It also helps that this is the week of Independence Day and the Rangers will have not one, but TWO of their unbeatable postgame firework shows on display during this series. These will come on Wednesday, July 3rd and Thursday, July 4th. Fireworks and baseball. I struggle to think of a much better way to spend the Fourth of July.
Notable promotions: July 3rd and 4th – Postgame fireworks, July 3rd – Dollar Hot Dog Night
September 24th through 26th
Boston Red Sox
The Rangers will begin their final homestand at Globe Life Park by welcoming the defending World Series champs come to Arlington for their lone visit of the season.
The two teams will likely be at very opposite ends of the competing spectrum at this point in the season, but that won’t stop this from being a must-see series.
Notable Promotion: September 25th – Dollar Hot Dog Night
September 27th through 29th
New York Yankees
The Rangers will get the Cubs, Cardinals, Red Sox and Yankees coming to Globe Life Park in its final season. Quite the fortunate turn of events for the ticket sales staff in what might be a tough years for putting butts in seats based off the product on the field.
Having the Yankees in town for the final Major League game at your ballpark is a pretty sweet deal. Add in that it was the Yankees who played the Rangers in their first home playoff game on October 4th, 1996 and also it was Alex Rodriguez and the pinstripes who were the victims of a nasty Neftali Feliz breaking ball to win the American League pennant back in 2010 to set off an unforgettable celebration.
It should be a fun final series full of great video tributes to all of the fun moments at the ballpark over the last 25 years. If you can’t be there for all three, you have to find a way to be at least one of them.
Notable promotions: September 27th and 28th – Postgame fireworks. September 29th – Globe Life Park Final Game shirt for all fans
In a year where the Rangers don’t figure to make much noise in the playoff race, there is no postseason baseball at Globe Life Park to plan on seeing. Even though the retractable roof of Globe Life Field is much needed, it won’t be easy saying goodbye to a night under the stars in Arlington. Whether you make it to all 81 home games this season or just one, do whatever it takes to get out there before it’s too late.
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