T.R.’s Memoirs: Tom Grieve’s run as Rangers GM didn’t change the person he is (Part II)
September 22, 2022
(AP photo/Mike Fuentes)
Editor’s note: T.R. Sullivan covered the Texas Rangers over 32 years for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and MLB.com and is sharing his “memoirs” with this newsletter. This is the second of a two-part installment looking back at the career of Tom Grieve, who is retiring after 55 years in baseball. Read Part I here.
Yes, the Rangers have since won seven division titles and been to two World Series. They have had 11 teams that have won more games than the 87 wins the Rangers finished with in 1986. The Rangers drew just 1.7 million fans in 1986, averaging 20,889 fans in that minor-league stadium.
But what happened to the Rangers in 1986 was truly magical.
I’ll never forget those Valentine years. 1984 was special; I bet I went to seventy games that year. I managed a store at old Lincoln Square and had players in there all the time, even became kind of friendly with Steve Buechele. I went to spring training in 85. Yes, that was quite a time. Unfortunately, I never got to meet TAG, but I always liked him, as player, an executive, and as a broadcaster. He’s obviously a great and genuine guy. Thanks for these stories, T.R.. Thanks for the memories.