The Texas Rangers 2008 season was the 48th year of the franchise and 37th since moving to Arlington, Texas. The organization, after finishing fourth in the American League West in 2007. The new season would be the first under the oversight of newly hired club president and former Ranger great Nolan Ryan. Upon his hire, Ryan indicated that his role in the 2008 season would be largely observational with regard to baseball operations, and any major changes would be made following the conclusion of the regular season.Jamey Newberg's The Newberg Report: Nolan Ryan returns. Newbergreport.com (February 7, 2008). Retrieved on November 5, 2010.
The Rangers set a Major League record for the most doubles by a team in a season, with 376.
Preseason
Notable offseason transactions The Rangers' offseason was filled with activity as Jon Daniels moved to quickly acquire talent both on and off the field. The 2007 club roster fielded several arbitration-eligible players, whose status for 2008 remained unsure. Several of these players would sign short-term contracts with the Rangers while others would seek playing time elsewhere.
2007 OFs Sammy Sosa, Brad Wilkerson, and IF Jerry Hairston Jr. signed with other clubs in the offseason. Hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo signed a new 2-year contract with the Rangers; RHPs Frank Francisco and Joaquín Benoit also signed 1- and 2-year extensions with the club. RHP Warner Madrigal signed as a minor league free agent after the Los Angeles Angels failed to add him to the team's 40-man roster before free agency began. December 8: OF Milton Bradley signed a 1-year contract for $5 million. December 21: OF Josh Hamilton acquired from the Cincinnati Reds for RHP Edinson Vólquez and RHP Danny Herrera. December 29: 1B Chris Shelton acquired from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for minor league OF Freddy Guzman.
January 2008 January 5: 1B Ben Broussard acquired via trade from the Seattle Mariners for minor leaguer Tug Hulett and signed to a 1-year contract worth $3.85 million, avoiding salary arbitration. January 11–18: LHP Eddie Guardado ($2 million), RHP Jason Jennings ($4m), C Gerald Laird ($6m), and OF Marlon Byrd ($1.8m) all signed 1-year contracts with the Rangers. January 14: RHP Kazuo Fukumori agreed to a 2-year contract worth $3 million. January 25: RHP Armando Galarraga designated for assignment and traded to the Tigers in exchange for minor league OF Michael Hernandez.
February and March
February 19: 2B Ian Kinsler signed a 5-year extension for $22 million, keeping him with the Rangers through 2012. February 25: The Rangers agreed to terms with 7 players: OF David Murphy, 3B Travis Metcalf, RHPs Brandon McCarthy and Wes Littleton, and LHP A. J. Murray. The other two, RHPs Alexi Ogando and Omar Beltré remained on the restricted list until their legal issues were resolved prior to the 2010 season. February 28: General Manager Jon Daniels and Rangers President Nolan Ryan signed contracts through the 2011 season. March 25: OF Nelson Cruz designated for assignment, cleared waivers, and later assigned to the minor leagues.
Regular season
Opening Day starters Gerald Laird, C Ben Broussard, 1B Ian Kinsler, 2B Hank Blalock, 3B Michael Young, SS David Murphy, LF Josh Hamilton, CF Marlon Byrd, RF Milton Bradley, DH Kevin Millwood, RHP
Season standings
Record vs. opponents
Game log Legend Rangers Win Rangers Loss Game postponed
|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 1 || March 31 || @ Mariners || 5–2 || Green (1–0) || Millwood (0–1) || Putz (1) || 46,334 || 0–1
|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 2 || April 1 || @ Mariners || 5–4 || Benoit (1–0) || Putz (0–1) || Wilson (1) || 25,204 || 1–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 3 || April 2 || @ Mariners || 4–1 || Silva (1–0) || Jennings (0–1) || Batista (1) || 21,349 || 1–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 4 || April 4 || @ Angels || 11–6 || Gabbard (1–0) || Moseley (0–1) || || 43,838 || 2–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 5 || April 5 || @ Angels || 2–1 || Weaver (1–1) || Millwood (0–2) || Rodríguez (3) || 41,170 || 2–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 6 || April 6 || @ Angels || 10–4 || Padilla (1–0) || Garland (1–1) || || 39,242 || 3–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 7 || April 8 || Orioles || 8–1 || Burres (1–0) || Jennings (0–2) || || 48,808 || 3–4 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbbbbb" | – || April 9 || Orioles || colspan=6|Postponed (rain) Made up as a doubleheader April 10 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 8 || April 10 || Orioles || 3–1 || Millwood (1–2) || Trachsel (1–1) || Wilson (2) || || 4–4 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 9 || April 10 || Orioles || 5–4 || Wright (1–0) || Bradford (0–1) || Wilson (3) || 15,560 || 5–4 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 10 || April 11 || Blue Jays || 8–5 || Litsch (2–0) || Padilla (1–1) || Downs (1) || 24,209 || 5–5 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 11 || April 12 || Blue Jays || 4–1 || Halladay (2–1) || Mendoza (0–1) || || 34,960 || 5–6 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 12 || April 13 || Blue Jays || 5 – 4 (10) || Carlson (1–0) || Nippert (0–1) || Ryan (1) || 21,515 || 5–7 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 13 || April 14 || Angels || 7–4 || Santana (2–0) || Jennings (0–3) || Rodríguez (4) || 16,541 || 5–8 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 14 || April 15 || Angels || 7–4 || Oliver (1–0) || Rupe (0–1) || Rodríguez (5) || 15,595 || 5–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 15 || April 16 || @ Blue Jays || 7 – 5 (14) || Nippert (1–1) || Burnett (1–1) || Wilson (4) || 15,686 || 6–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 16 || April 17 || @ Blue Jays || 4–1 || Padilla (2–1) || Halladay (2–2) || Wilson (5) || 15,809 || 7–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 17 || April 18 || @ Red Sox || 11–3 || Matsuzaka (4–0) || Mendoza (0–2) || || 37,902 || 7–10 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 18 || April 19 || @ Red Sox || 5–3 || López (1–0) || Benoit (1–1) || Papelbon (6) || 37,958 || 7–11 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 19 || April 20 || @ Red Sox || 6–5 || Wakefield (2–0) || Wilson (0–1) || Papelbon (7) || 37,480 || 7–12 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 20 || April 21 || @ Red Sox || 8–3 || Buchholz (1–1) || Nippert (1–2) || || 37,539 || 7–13 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 21 || April 22 || @ Tigers || 10–2 || Verlander (1–3) || Padilla (2–2) || || 33,629 || 7–14 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 22 || April 23 || @ Tigers || 19–6 || Rapada (2–0) || Francisco (0–1) || || 34,245 || 7–15 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 23 || April 24 || @ Tigers || 8–2 || Miner (1–1) || Jennings (0–4) || || 39,058 || 7–16 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 24 || April 25 || Twins || 6–5 || Benoit (2–1) || Rincón (2–1) || || 19,016 || 8–16 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 25 || April 26 || Twins || 12–6 || Reyes (1–0) || Wright (1–1) || || 33,053 || 8–17 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 26 || April 27 || Twins || 10–0 || Padilla (3–2) || Hernández (3–1) || || 19,911 || 9–17 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 27 || April 29 || Royals || 9–5 || Mahay (1–0) || Jennings (0–5) || || 16,472 || 9–18 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 28 || April 30 || Royals || 11–9 || Millwood (2–2) || Bannister (3–2) || || 17,705 || 10–18
|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 29 || May 1 || Royals || 2–1 || Ponson (1–0) || Greinke (3–1) || Wilson (6) || 14,563 || 11–18 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 30 || May 2 || @ Athletics || 4–3 || Padilla (4–2) || Blanton (2–5) || Wilson (7) || 15,408 || 12–18 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 31 || May 3 || @ Athletics || 6–3 || Murray (1–0) || Gaudin (3–2) || Benoit (1) || 20,524 || 13–18 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 32 || May 4 || @ Athletics || 3–1 || Casilla (1–0) || Feldman (0–1) || Street (9) || 31,673 || 13–19 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 33 || May 5 || @ Mariners || 7–3 || Washburn (2–4) || Millwood (2–3) || || 16,637 || 13–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 34 || May 6 || @ Mariners || 10–1 || Ponson (2–0) || Batista (2–4) || || 15,818 || 14–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 35 || May 7 || @ Mariners || 2–0 || Padilla (5–2) || Bedard (2–2) || Wilson (8) || 17,173 || 15–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 36 || May 8 || @ Mariners || 5–0 || Germán (1–0) || Hernández (2–3) || || 22,922 || 16–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 37 || May 9 || Athletics || 4–0 || Feldman (1–1) || Smith (2–2) || || 23,516 || 17–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 38 || May 10 || Athletics || 6–4 || Rupe (1–1) || Eveland (3–3) || || 22,899 || 18–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 39 || May 11 || Athletics || 12–6 || Casilla (2–0) || Germán (1–1) || || 23,959 ||18–21 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 40 || May 12 || Mariners || 13 – 12 (10) || Mathis (1–0) || Morrow (0–1) || || 18,509 || 19–21 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 41 || May 13 || Mariners || 5–2 || Rupe (2–1) || Hernández (2–4) || Guardado (1) || 15,766 || 20–21 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 42 || May 14 || Mariners || 4 – 3 (12) || Putz (1–1) || Germán (1–2) || Washburn (1) || 22,934 || 20–22 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 43 || May 16 || Astros || 16–8 || Wright (2–1) || Wright (3–1) || || 32,117 || 21–22 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 44 || May 17 || Astros || 6–2 || Padilla (6–2) || Oswalt (4–4) || || 38,534 || 22–22 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 45 || May 18 || Astros || 5–4 || Backe (2–5) || Gabbard (1–1) || Valverde (11) || 33,561 || 22–23 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 46 || May 19 || @ Twins || 7 – 6 (12) || Korecky (1–0) || Germán (1–3) || || 16,680 || 22–24 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 47 || May 20 || @ Twins || 11–4 || Perkins (1–1) || Mathis (1–1) || || 19,376 || 22–25 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 48 || May 21 || @ Twins || 10–1 || Ponson (3–0) || Blackburn (4–3) || || 22,032 || 23–25 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 49 || May 22 || @ Twins || 8 – 7 (10) || Benoit (2–1) || Bass (1–1) || Wilson (9) || 23,126 || 24–25 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 50 || May 23 || @ Indians || 13–9 || Loe (1–0) || Carmona (4–2) || || 39,947 || 25–25 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 51 || May 24 || @ Indians || 5–2 || Lee (7–1) || Feldman (1–2) || Borowski (3) || 40,504 || 25–26 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 52 || May 25 || @ Indians || 2 – 1 (10) || Wright (3–1) || Kobayashi (2–2) || Wilson (10) || 35,464 || 26–26 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 53 || May 26 || @ Rays || 7–3 || Kazmir (4–1) || Ponson (3–1) || || 12,174 || 26–27 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 54 || May 27 || @ Rays || 12–6 || Padilla (7–2) || Sonnanstine (6–3) || || 10,511 || 27–27 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 55 || May 28 || @ Rays || 5–3 || Garza (4–1) || Gabbard (1–2) || Wheeler (1) || 10,927 || 27–28 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 56 || May 30 || Athletics || 3–1 || Millwood (3–3) || Duchscherer (4–4) || Wilson (11) || 21,763 || 28–28 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 57 || May 31 || Athletics || 8–4 || Ponson (4–1) || Blanton (3–7) || || 36,798 || 29–28
|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 58 || June 1 || Athletics || 13–8 || Gaudin (3–3) || Wright (3–2) || || 17,661 || 29–29 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 59 || June 2 || Indians || 13–9 || Kobayashi (3–2) || Guardado (0–1) || || 17,247 || 29–30 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 60 || June 3 || Indians || 12–7 || Francisco (1–1) || Mastny (0–1) || || 16,373 || 30–30 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 61 || June 4 || Indians || 15–9 || Lee (9–1) || Ramírez (0–1) || || 19,676 || 30–31 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 62 || June 5 || Indians || 9–4 || Millwood (4–3) || Sabathia (3–8) || || 17,795 || 31–31 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 63 || June 6 || Rays || 12–4 || Kazmir (6–1) || Padilla (7–3) || || 21,783 || 31–32 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 64 || June 7 || Rays || 5–4 || Howell (5–0) || Benoit (3–2) || Wheeler (2) || 28,788 || 31–33 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 65 || June 8 || Rays || 6–3 || Mathis (2–1) || Garza (4–3) || || 20,258 || 32–33