Arlington Stadium was originally built in 1965 as Turnpike Stadium, a minor league ballpark for the Double-A Texas Spurs. The stadium was designed to seat 10,000 fans, but it was quickly expanded to 33,000 seats in 1971 to accommodate the arrival of the Texas Rangers, a new expansion team in Major League Baseball.

The Rangers played their first game at Arlington Stadium on April 11, 1972, losing to the California Angels 1-0. Over the next 22 seasons, Arlington Stadium would host some of the most memorable moments in Rangers history, including the team's first playoff appearance in 1975, their first American League West division title in 1990, and their first World Series appearance in 1992.

Arlington Stadium was also the site of several major events, including the 1973 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, the 1976 Republican National Convention, and several concerts by major musical artists such as Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones, and U2.

Design and Features

Arlington Stadium was a typical multipurpose stadium of its era, with a horseshoe-shaped seating bowl and a natural grass playing field. The stadium was known for its relatively small dimensions, which made it a hitter's park. The left field fence was only 310 feet from home plate, and the right field fence was 325 feet away.

The stadium also had a number of unique features, including a large bleacher section that stretched from foul pole to foul pole, a cantilevered upper deck that was supported by steel columns, and a unique roof design that featured a large overhang that extended over the entire seating bowl.

Memorable Moments

Arlington Stadium was the site of many memorable moments in Rangers history, including:

• The Rangers' first playoff appearance in 1975, when they lost to the Oakland Athletics in the American League Division Series.
• The Rangers' first American League West division title in 1990, when they defeated the Oakland Athletics in the American League Championship Series before losing to the Cincinnati Reds in the World Series.
• The Rangers' first World Series appearance in 1992, when they lost to the Toronto Blue Jays in six games.

Arlington Stadium was also the site of several notable individual performances, including:

• Nolan Ryan's 300th career strikeout on July 4, 1973.
• Juan González's 50th home run of the season in 1998.
• Alex Rodriguez's 54th home run of the season in 2002.

Arlington Stadium was demolished in 2004 to make room for a new stadium, The Ballpark in Arlington (now Choctaw Stadium). The Rangers played their final game at Arlington Stadium on September 28, 1993, defeating the Seattle Mariners 15-0.

Arlington Stadium was a beloved ballpark for Rangers fans, and it remains one of the most iconic stadiums in Major League Baseball history. The stadium was known for its intimate atmosphere, its proximity to the field, and its many memorable moments.

Arlington Stadium was the home of the Texas Rangers for 22 seasons, and it played an important role in the team's history. The stadium was the site of the Rangers' first playoff appearance, their first division title, and their first World Series appearance. Arlington Stadium was also the home of some of the greatest players in Rangers history, including Nolan Ryan, Juan González, and Alex Rodriguez.

While Arlington Stadium is no longer standing, its legacy remains. The stadium is still fondly remembered by Rangers fans, and it is considered to be one of the most iconic stadiums in Major League Baseball history.