Fifty Years Later, Billy Martin’s Tumultuous Time with the Rangers Still Stands Alone
He brought excitement, chaos, and change — and no one’s matched his impact since.
On July 21, 1975 — exactly 50 years ago — the Texas Rangers parted ways with one of baseball’s most controversial and unforgettable managers, Billy Martin. Known for transforming underperforming teams and creating high drama wherever he went, Martin’s brief but explosive run in Texas left a lasting mark.
Martin took over the Rangers in late 1973, following a successful but turbulent run with the Minnesota Twins and Detroit Tigers. During his 278-game stint in Texas, he managed to energize the downtrodden franchise, improving the team by 28 wins in 1974 and nearly dethroning the reigning World Series champions in the division. He was named Manager of the Year and helped draw record-breaking crowds.
But alongside those highs came controversy and volatility. Martin clashed with team personnel, made questionable roster moves, and had public blowups — including a confrontation with a team staffer on a plane and an attempt to replace the seventh-inning stretch anthem with a John Denver song, reportedly against ownership’s wishes. His unpredictable behavior and strained relationships with upper management led to his firing just a year and a half into his Rangers tenure.
Though Martin was quickly hired by the Yankees — beginning a wild, on-again, off-again saga with George Steinbrenner — his time with the Rangers is remembered as one of the most intense managerial tenures in team history. Players like Jim Sundberg and Tom Grieve recall both the inspiration and instability Martin brought. Grieve, in particular, remembers Martin’s kindness and believes he belongs in the Hall of Fame.
Despite the chaos, no one has quite filled the void Martin left behind. His time with the Rangers remains a one-of-a-kind chapter in baseball history — a blend of brilliance and bedlam that, five decades later, still defies comparison.
