The Texas Rangers, a franchise with a rich history dating back to their days as the Washington Senators in 1961, have had their share of iconic moments—some triumphant, others heartbreaking. But amid their journey, including a World Series title in 2023, the Rangers have also delivered plenty of laughs. From botched plays to on-field antics, here are three of the funniest moments in Texas Rangers history that still bring smiles to fans’ faces.
First up is Jose Canseco’s infamous “off-the-head” home run on May 26, 1993, against the Cleveland Indians at Municipal Stadium. Canseco, the Rangers’ right fielder, tracked a deep fly ball hit by Carlos Martinez to the warning track. As he leaped at the wall, the ball didn’t land in his glove—it bounced squarely off his head and over the fence for a home run. The Rangers lost 7-6, but Canseco’s blunder became an instant classic, with the slugger famously quipping, “I’ll be on ESPN for a month.” Decades later, the clip remains a staple of blooper reels, a reminder that even the biggest stars can have hilariously human moments.
Next, we rewind to June 6, 1977, during the Rangers’ first-ever Monday Night Baseball game at Arlington Stadium against the Yankees. The star of this moment wasn’t a player but batboy Rich Thompson, who unknowingly turned a national broadcast into a comedy show. While near a field microphone, Thompson began trash-talking broadcaster Howard Cosell, not realizing his insults—like calling Cosell a “phony”—were being heard live by the audience. Thompson later claimed he didn’t know the mic was on and apologized, saying, “I was just kidding around.” The Rangers won 8-3, but Thompson’s accidental roast stole the show, earning him a suspension and a permanent spot in Rangers lore.
Finally, on July 26, 2017, Adrian Beltre gave fans a laugh during a 22-10 loss to the Marlins at Globe Life Park. Beltre, standing in the on-deck circle, was positioned too close to home plate for umpire Gerry Davis’ liking. After being told to move back to the mat, Beltre decided to have some fun—instead of stepping back, he picked up the portable on-deck circle mat and dragged it closer to the plate. Davis wasn’t amused, ejecting Beltre on the spot, but the third baseman’s playful defiance had the crowd roaring. Beltre, who hit a homer and two doubles earlier in the game, cemented his reputation as a fan favorite with a sense of humor, even on a rough night for the Rangers.
These moments highlight the lighter side of a franchise that’s often faced its share of struggles, from early losing seasons to postseason heartbreaks. The Rangers’ ability to laugh at themselves—whether it’s Canseco’s noggin turning a fly ball into a homer, Thompson’s accidental broadcast roast, or Beltre’s on-deck rebellion—shows why baseball remains a game of joy, even in its most absurd moments. As the Rangers continue their journey in 2025, sitting at 18-24 in the AL West, fans can look back on these hilarious mishaps as reminders that sometimes, the best memories come from the unexpected.
