Johnny Lane Oates was an American professional baseball player, coach, and manager. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a catcher for the Baltimore Orioles, Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Dodgers, and New York Yankees from 1970 to 1981. During his playing career, Oates was a light-hitting player who was valued for his defensive skills and played most of his career as a reserve player. It was as a big league manager that Oates experienced his greatest success, when, under his leadership, the Texas Rangers won three American League Western Division titles.
Oates with the Nashville Sounds in 1982
Oates (right) playing catcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1978
The Texas Rangers are an American professional baseball team based in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. The Rangers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West Division. In 2020, the Rangers moved to the new Globe Life Field in Arlington after having played at Globe Life Park from 1994 to 2019. They are one of two major league clubs based in Texas, alongside the Houston Astros of the same division. The team's name is derived from a historic law enforcement agency.
U.S. President Richard Nixon throwing the Opening Day ceremonial first pitch at RFK Stadium on April 7, 1969, with Ted Williams (left) and Bob Short (right, partially obscured by Ralph Houk)
Jim Sundberg, catcher during 1974–1983 and 1988–1989
Arlington Stadium, home ballpark from 1972 to 1993
President George H. W. Bush with son, George W. Bush, and baseball broadcaster, Joe Morgan, in the Texas Rangers locker room, 1991. Future president George W. Bush (far right) owned the Rangers from 1989 to 1994
