[vrobx1]

I am going to do a historical simulation beginning in 1972, with the main focus being on my favorite team, the Texas Rangers, as they move from the nation's capital to the Lone Star State.

Texas Rangers Opening Day Lineup 1972:

BATTING ORDER
1. Elliott Maddox CF
2. Toby Harrah SS
3. Dave Nelson 3B
4. Frank Howard 1B
5. Larry Bittner LF
6. Jeff Burroughs RF
7. Ted Kubiak 2B
8. Ken Suarez C

PITCHING ROTATION
1. Bill Gogolewski
2. Dick Bosman
3. Pete Broberg
4. Rich Hand
5. Don Stanhouse

BULLPEN
CL Horacio Pina
SU: Paul Lindblad
MR: Mike Paul
MR: Casey Cox
MR: Jim Shellenback

MANAGER: Ted Williams

TOP PLAYERS:
Frank Howard
Don Mincher-backup 1B to Frank Howard
Bill Gogolewski

PRESEASON PREDICTIONS:
The Texas Rangers are predicted to go 59-103 and be the only team in the AL West to have a losing record.
The predicted division winners are: Baltimore Orioles, Oakland Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds.

The Texas Rangers have no one picked to be in the Top 10 in hitters, pitchers or prospects.

In the Top 100 Prospects, the Rangers have SP Don Stanhouse at #27, CF Vic Harris at #70, CF Joe Lovitto at #85 and 2B Tom Ragland at #93.

The #1 Prospect of the Year is Rick Reuschel of the Chicago Cubs.

The Opening Day Game April 5th, 1972 will be the Houston Astros at the Cincinnati Reds. The Reds win 6-3. Tony Perez goes 3-for-4 with a double, a home run, 3 RBI and 2 runs scored. Lee May leads the Astros going 1-for-3 with a home run, 2 RBI, a run scored and a walk. The Reds Denis Menke goes 2-for-3 with an RBI and a walk.

The Texas Rangers will open the season on April 6th at home against the Kansas City Royals.
Also on April 6th:
Detroit Tigers at Boston Red Sox
Baltimore Orioles at New York Yankees
Oakland Athletics at Chicago White Sox
California Angels at Minnesota Twins
New York Mets at Pittsburgh Pirates
Houston Astros at Atlanta Braves
San Diego Padres at San Francisco Giants