Best Texas Rangers seasons

It has been nine long, hot and mostly unsatisfying seasons since the Texas Rangers last made the American League playoffs, but hope springs eternal in Arlington. Coming off a 79-83 finish in 2008, the Rangers count on improved pitching and defense and the promise of young players on the rise to shake off their losing ways and become bona fide contenders in the not-too-distant future.

Since arriving in Texas in 1972, the franchise has only enjoyed a handful of seasons that included meaningful games in September and October. Here’s a list of the club’s top finishes over 37 years in the Metroplex and where those records left them in the standings.

1999: 95-67 (won AL West)
1977: 94-68 (finished 8 games back)
1996: 90-72 (won AL West)
2004: 89-73 (finished 3 games back)
1998: 88-74 (won AL West)
1986: 87-75 (finished 5 games back)
1978: 87-75 (finished 5 games back)
1993: 86-76 (finished 8 games back)
1991: 85-77 (finished 10 games back)
1974: 84-76 (finished 5 games back)

Source: texasrangers.com