The Rangers 26 year run is the longest stretch without an arbitration hearing in the history of Major League Baseball.
Our world has undergone significant changes since the year 2000.
Now, 26 years ago, 2000 had some very culturally significant moments.
George W. Bush defeated Al Gore in the most controversial election in US history, Vladimir Putin became the President of Russia, Sony released the PlayStation 2, and Tiger Woods became the first golfer to win three Grand Slams in one year.
However, one moment that still stands today perhaps triumphs them all.
The Texas Rangers went to an won an arbitration hearing against first baseman Lee Stevens, beginning one of the more impressive streaks in MLB history.
Coming into 2026, the Rangers had gone 25 years without needing to go to an arbitration case, the last of which was Stevens’.
On Thursday night, Texas continued that impressive streak, agreeing to terms with infielders Jake Burger, Ezequiel Duran, Josh Jung, and Josh Smith, marking the 26th consecutive year without an arbitration hearing.
The Rangers 26 year run is the longest stretch without an arbitration hearing in the history of Major League Baseball.
The next longest streak belongs to the Detroit Tigers, but theirs will come to an end after they and back-to-back Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal filed $13 million apart, bringing forth the largest difference in salary arbitration history.
A streak like the one the Rangers are on certinally isn’t something insanely significant, but a fun nugget to watch for every off-season.
Texas will open Spring Training in just over a month and begin its slate of exhibition games on February 20th against the Kansas City Royals.