An estimated 300,000 fans Texas Rangers fans lined up and stacked dozens deep in some areas along a 2-mile route near the team’s ballpark for a parade on Friday to celebrate the franchise’s first World Series championship.
‘This is why we came back, for the parade,’ All-Star second baseman Marcus Semien said.
The parade came two days after the Rangers wrapped up the World Series title with a 5-0 win on the road in Game 5 against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
It came a week after Texas won the series opener at home on an 11th-inning homer by Adolis Garcia after Corey Seager hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning to tie the game.
‘It’s what it’s about, the fans. They’re the reason we do this, why we play. We feed off them and for them to get a championship. That’s what makes this special,’ Texas manager Bruce Bochy said.
PROUD RANGER: A Rangers fan painted his face in the team’s colors – white, blue and red – while waiting for the parade bus
MLB CHAMPS’ SOON TO BE NFL CHAMPS’, TOO?: Rangers fans with a football cheering during the World Series title parade
The parade route for the Rangers truck went by AT&T Stadium – home of the Cowboys – and their old home – Choctaw Stadium
Texas Rangers fans line up outside of Globe Life Field to celebrate the franchise’s first World Series title on Friday afternoon
An estimated 250,000-300,000 fans are expected to show up in Arlington, Texas, a suburb of the Dallas-Forth Worth area
MARCH ON: High school bands in Arlington lined up the route for the Rangers’ World Series baseball championship parade
Players of the Rangers will address their fans in an outdoor ceremony at Globe Life Field, once they get off the bus parade
The Rangers parade comes two days after the team won the World Series in five games against the Arizona Diamondbacks
CHRISTMAS COMIN’ EARLY: A fan dressed as ‘The Grinch’ cheered on the Rangers while standing behind a barricade
GONE WILD: A Rangers fan was cheered on by his peers after rallying them up during the World Series championship parade
A fan holding a sign that makes reference to the Rangers undefeated playoffs road record celebrates while wearing a ski mask
‘They’re all special, the World Series. But getting the first one, and for this to happen for them, is what makes me feel so good.’
The Rangers won their first championship in their 63rd season as a franchise, which began as the expansion Washington Senators in 1961 before the team moved to Texas in 1972.
World Series MVP Seager, AL Championship Series MVP Garcia and Rangers players were part of the parade in the entertainment district of Arlington, the city where they play along Interstate 30 halfway between downtown Fort Worth and downtown Dallas.
Seager was also the World Series MVP in 2020 when playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers, who won that title in a neutral-site MLB postseason played at Globe Life Field during the COVID-19 pandemic.
There was no celebration parade that season.
Rangers first baseman Nathaniel Lowe lifts the Commissioner’s Trophy in front of fans at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas
Bochy, who’s now won four World Series as a manager, thanked fans for their support during the season, calling them ‘special’
Rangers pitcher Jon Gray chugs a Michelob Ultra beer in front of fans while riding on the back of a pickup truck at the parade
Rangers manager Bruce Bochy waves to fans while posing with the Commissioners Trophy, seen on top of a pickup truck
Rangers starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi brought his children to the parade after his stellar Game 5 performance, Wednesday
Rangers’ pitcher Aroldis Chapman donned a World Series championship cap while watching fans cheer players at the parade
Rangers catcher Mitch Garver tossed beaded necklaces to fans while soaking in the Texas sun during Friday’s parade
Rangers shortstop Marcus Semien with his wife and children during the parade. Siemens had 4 runs vs. the Diamondbacks
Rangers pitcher Max Scherzer is a World Series champion in his first season in Arlington, despite being injury-prone this year
Rangers shortstop Corey Seager sitting with his World Series MVP award on top of a pickup truck themed as a baseball glove
‘Really tight-knit group, just the ability to be able to come together and compete every night. It’s a hard thing to do and this group was able to do it and we got to accomplish something special,’ Seager said.
The Rangers arrived home in North Texas on Thursday, with Semien exiting first and hoisting the World Series trophy into the air as he stepped off the plane.
By that time, some fans were already staking out spots along the parade route.
After starting on the south side of Globe Life Park, the parade went along the side of AT&T Stadium, the home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, and up around Mark Holtz Lake, named after the late Rangers broadcaster known for his ‘Hello Win Column!’ call. The parade then passed by the Rangers’ former ballpark where they played when making their only other World Series appearances in 2010 and 2011.
Players were to address the fans in an outdoor ceremony after the parade wound back to the retractable-roof stadium they have called home since 2020.
Rangers’ Marcus Semien (L) hoists the Commissioner’s Trophy near pitcher Jose Leclerc (R) upon their arrival at Dallas Love Field on Thursday
The Texas Rangers storm the field after defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks to win the World Series in Game 5, Wednesday
The Rangers pose for team photo after defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks, 5-0, and in Game 5 and in five games overall
Several Texas Rangers fans brought posters to the parade with them as they demand for free beers to celebrate the occasion
A view of the statue of former Texas Rangers pitcher Nolan Ryan outside of Globe Life Field. The parade starts at 12:15 P.M C.T.
‘The Texas Rangers’ World Series victory is a dream five decades in the making,’ Arlington Mayor Jim Ross said.
‘My hope is that it just creates that much more interest and passion in baseball here. And not that they didn’t have it, but when you have a lot of losing seasons, it’s difficult for the fans,’ Bochy said.
‘Our job is to continue this winning. It’s great to win this championship. But, you know, we don’t want this city to go that much longer without another one.’
This is Bochy’s fourth World Series title. He won three with the San Francisco Giants, the first in 2010 with a Game 5 clincher in Texas. Bochy was named the Rangers’ manager a year ago, when the team was coming off its sixth consecutive losing season.
At least six local school districts were closed Friday so students and faculty could join in the celebration.
Several high school bands took part in the parade held on a picture-perfect day, with clear, sunny conditions and temperatures around 70 degrees.