About Arlington Stadium
Arlington Stadium, originally a minor-league park called Turnpike Stadium, was hastily expanded when the Washington Senators relocated to Texas and became the Rangers in 1972. The below-ground-level stadium — the playing field sat about 40 feet below street level — was hot, basic, and beloved by the fans who endured its quirks.
Playing baseball in the Texas summer heat without a roof was an extreme sport. Temperatures on the field routinely exceeded 100 degrees, and the metal bleacher seats in the outfield could cause burns. Despite these conditions, the Rangers built a loyal following.
Nolan Ryan's years with the Rangers (1989-1993) brought new energy to the park. He threw his sixth and seventh no-hitters at Arlington Stadium, including his remarkable seventh at age 44. The Rangers moved to The Ballpark in Arlington (later Globe Life Park) in 1994.
Fun facts
- The playing field sat 40 feet below street level — fans walked down to their seats.
- Surface temperatures on the field could reach 150 degrees during summer day games.
- The stadium started as a 10,000-seat minor-league park and was expanded to over 43,000.
- Nolan Ryan struck out Robin Ventura here after the famous "charge the mound" incident in 1993.
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