Orlando Magic

Note: The Magic have hired former Magic coach Brian Hill to be head coach again.. Coaches. 6--The Fans. Manager. The Magic will pick 11th in the 2005 NBA Draft. (By comparison, the fourth-place team, the Seattle Mariners, were 29 games out of first.). In addition, the Magic announced the following day that Brian Hill, the coach who led the Magic to the NBA Finals under O'Neal and Hardaway, would return as head coach. The Rangers remained in contention until the last week of the season, eventually finishing in third place behind the Angels and A's, but they finished the season only 3 games out of first place.

On May 23, however, the Magic's plans were disrupted by the abrupt resignation of General Manager and Chief Operating Officer John Weisbrod. Soriano was named the All-Star MVP after going 2 for 3 with a three-run home run. However, the promise for the future is great, as the club hopes to build around Howard, Hill, Francis, and Nelson and become a playoff contender with a new coach. Mark Teixeira, Alfonso Soriano, Michael Young, and Hank Blalock became one of the better tandems of batting infielders in the league, and Young, Blalock, and Soriano were named to the 2004 All-Star Game. In the end, the Magic ended a few games out of the playoffs. However, behind a young team that gelled together well, the Rangers battled with the Anaheim Angels and Oakland Athletics for first place in the AL West for much of the season. Their playoff push was hampered by injuries in the last quarter of the season: a season-ending broken wrist for sixth man Hedo Turkoglu, a shin injury to Grant Hill, a rib cage injury to Nelson, and a three-game suspension to Francis for allegedly kicking a photographer. Prior to the 2004 season, little hope was held out for the Rangers to improve on their losing ways.

The Magic finished the season with a 36-46 record, disappointing after a strong start. In the 2003 season, the Rangers finished in last place for the fourth straight year, and after a post-season fallout between Rodriguez and team management, Rodriguez was traded to the New York Yankees for Alfonso Soriano and a player to be named later. Howard was an unanimous selection. He was replaced by seasoned manager Buck Showalter. Hill was chosen an All-Star starter by NBA fans, and Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson were named to the All-Rookie first and second teams, respectfully. Although Rodriguez's individual performance was outstanding, the Rangers continued to struggle, and manager Jerry Narron was fired following the 2002 season. Hill also returned and averaged 19 points a game. The move was considered controversial and was frequently maligned by the media who thought that Hicks was placing too much emphasis on one player instead of spreading out money among many players, especially for a team that lacked significant pitching talent.

In addition, Nelson, after a slow start, developed into a talented player, taking over the starting point guard position. Prior to the 2001 season, star free-agent shortstop Alex Rodriguez, previously of the Seattle Mariners, was signed by the Rangers in the most lucrative deal in baseball history: a 10-year, US $252 million contract. Howard was a consistant rebounder and scorer, becoming the first rookie to start and play all 82 games in a season. In 1999, Nolan Ryan became the first player ever elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame to have a Ranger cap placed on his plaque. However, Howard showed great promise, becoming one of the few players to average a double-double. Meanwhile, Bush sold the team to an investment group led by Dallas businessman Tom Hicks in 1998. However, led by the erratic play of Francis, the Magic also lost to league bottom-feeders, such as the expansion Charlotte Bobcats and the Atlanta Hawks. Oates again led the team to AL West championships in 1998 and 1999, but en route to a second straight last place finish, Oates was let go mid-way through the 2001 season.

Throughout the season, bolstered by Hill's return, the Magic played spectacularly, defeating top NBA teams such as the San Antonio Spurs and the Detroit Pistons. The team featured a powerful lineup of hitters with Ivan Rodriguez, Will Clark, Mark McLemore, Dean Palmer, Rusty Greer, Juan Gonzalez, and Mickey Tettleton but continued to struggle with pitching - a reputation that dogs the Rangers to this day - despite having Darren Oliver, Gil Heredia and later John Wetteland on their roster. The Magic are currently in a search for a new head coach. Oates was named AL Manager of the Year and Juan Gonzalez was named AL MVP. Later on, Christie claimed he had bone spurs and was placed on the injured list after playing only a few games for the Magic. Near the end of the season, with a playoff-push faltering, Weisbrod fired Davis and promoted Chris Jent to become interim head coach. But the team had finally made the playoffs. Christie, because of his emotional ties to the Kings, at first refused to play for the Magic. With a brand new ballpark that hosted its first All-Star Game, Johnny Oates was hired as the Rangers' manager and promptly led them to an AL West division title in 1996. The first Rangers' playoff series in history, 24 years after the franchise came to Texas, saw the Rangers lose to the New York Yankees.

First, Weisbrod traded Mobley for Doug Christie from the Sacramento Kings. The year 1995 saw the beginnings of the most promise for the Rangers. After a promising 13-6 start, the Magic began to fall apart. The strike wiped out what could have been the Rangers' first division championship when commisioner Bud Selig canceled the remainder of the season. Nelson, who most scouts speculated to be a top-10 pick, fell to the 20th pick, and the Magic traded a future first-round draft pick to the Denver Nuggets for Nelson. He was let go in 1994 despite leading the AL West prior to the players' strike. With the number one draft pick, the Magic selected high-school phenom Dwight Howard and traded for point guard Jameer Nelson. In 1993, Kevin Kennedy took over managerial duties, helming the team for two seasons.

In addition, the Magic also acquired center Tony Battie and free agent Hedo Turkoglu. During this time, the Rangers and the City of Arlington decided to construct a new stadium to replace the aging Arlington Stadium. Ground was broken on October 30, 1991 on what would become The Ballpark in Arlington (later renamed Ameriquest Field in Arlington). The Magic traded McGrady to the Houston Rockets for Steve Francis, Kelvin Cato, and Cuttino Mobley. Bush would serve as the Rangers' managing partner until he was elected Governor of Texas in 1994. McGrady, discontent with the Magic, wished to move on; Weisbrod accused McGrady of "slacking off" and not attending practices (McGrady later admitted that he did not give 100% percent during the 2003-2004 season). Bush. The most significant trade was that of Tracy McGrady. Meanwhile, in April of 1989, the Rangers' owner, Eddie Chiles, sold the team to an investment group headed by future President George W.

Though he kept Davis at coach, he shook up the player roster, only keeping a few of the players from last season. However, the team never improved past being average, and Valentine was let go during the 1992 season. In the offseason, Weisbrod dismantled the team. Coupled with powerful batters like Juan González, Rubén Sierra, Julio Franco, Harold Baines, and Rafael Palmeiro and a pitching staff that also included Charlie Hough, Bobby Witt, Kevin Brown, and Kenny Rogers, fans expected much from the team. In addition, general manager Gabriel was replaced by John Weisbrod. The signing of 41-year-old star pitcher Nolan Ryan prior to the 1989 season allowed Ryan to reach his 5,000th strikeout, 300th win and throw his sixth and seventh no-hitters with the Rangers. In the middle of the 19-game losing streak, coach Doc Rivers was fired, and assistant Johnny Davis was promoted. Valentine, who would eventually become the Rangers' longest-serving manager at 1,186 games, became steward over an influx of talent in the team in the late 1980s and 1990s.

The Magic finished with a disappointing 21-61 record, the worst in the NBA. During this time, the team had a host of talent, including Bert Blyleven, Buddy Bell, Fergie Jenkins, Mike Hargrove, Jim Sundberg, Toby Harrah and Rick Honeycutt. After winning its first game, the Magic lost 19 consecutive games, setting a franchise record. After the 1977 and 1978 seasons, the Rangers would not have another winning season until 1986 under manager Bobby Valentine, when the team finished second in the AL West. Even with the acquisition of veterans Tyronn Lue and Juwan Howard, the Magic struggled early. The Rangers continued to struggle for many years, going through cycles of mostly poor seasons with losing records highlighted by occasional flashes of talent. The Magic's 15th season in 2003-2004 proved to be one of its toughest ever. However, the following season, after a 44-51 start, Martin was fired as the Rangers manager and was replaced by Frank Lucchesi.

Despite still not having Hill due to injury, the Magic entered the playoffs for the third straight year. However, after taking a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven first round series, the Magic faltered and fell to the Detroit Pistons 4-3 in a heartbreaker. Mike Hargrove was named AL Rookie of the Year, Billy Martin was named Manager of the Year, and Ferguson Jenkins was named the Comeback Player of the Year. In 2002-2003, with the acquisition of Gordon Giricek and Drew Gooden, T-Mac once again led the Magic to a 42-40 record. They finished the season 84-76 and in second place behind the eventual World Series champion Oakland Athletics. However, the Magic were defeated 3-1 by the Charlotte Hornets (the team has since relocated, becoming the New Orleans Hornets). In 1974, the Rangers began to come into their own as a team. T-Mac, combined with Armstrong, Miller, and 3-point sharpshooter Pat Garrity, formed the core of the team that season. Whitey Herzog was named the new manager, but he was replaced in the middle of the 1973 season by Billy Martin.

Led once again by McGrady, nicknamed "T-Mac", Orlando once again posted a winning record, 44-38, in the 2001-2002 season. However, Hill was still severely limited by his ankle injury and did not play for the vast majority of the season. After the season, Ted Williams retired as manager. Miller won the Rookie of the Year that season. The first home game was also against the Angels on April 21. With the addition of Mike Miller from the draft, the Magic compiled a 43-39 record, including a nine-game winning streak, that season, and entered the playoffs once again. The next day, the Rangers defeated the Angels 5-1 for the team's first victory. However, Hill was limited to 4 games because of an ankle injury. McGrady blossomed into a star during this season, becoming one of the NBA's top scorers. The team played its first game on April 15, 1972, a 1-0 loss at the California Angels.

Despite Duncan opting to remain with the San Antonio Spurs, the Magic gained Hill, a perenial All-Star, and McGrady. Bob Short also announced that the franchise would be called the Texas Rangers. In the following offseason, Gabriel, with millions of cleared salary cap space, attempted to lure three of the NBA's most prized free agents: Tim Duncan, Grant Hill, and Tracy McGrady. During the off-season, additions were made to Turnpike Stadium to increase its seating capacity, and it was officially renamed Arlington Stadium. This year was characterized by the slogan "Heart and Hustle", as the team was known for its hard-working style. On September 20, 1971, he got his wish, receiving approval from AL owners to move the franchise to Arlington for the 1972 season. Washington fans were outraged, and in the team's final game in RFK Stadium on September 30 against the New York Yankees, the Senators were forced to forfeit the game after angry fans stormed the field and damaged much of the stadium and playing surface. At the end of the season Rivers was named Coach of the Year by the NBA. He sought to move the team from Washington.

With a team with virtually no name players and little experience, Rivers and Armstrong, the team captain, led the Magic to a 41-41 record, barely out of the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Senators received new ownership in 1968 in the form of Bob Short, the Treasurer of the Democratic National Committee. Gabriel dismantled the previous team and acquired multiple future first round draft picks. The stadium, later renamed Arlington Stadium, would eventually serve as the Rangers' first home stadium. In 1999, the Magic, under new General Manager John Gabriel, who was named Executive of the Year, acquired rookie-coach Doc Rivers. In 1964, the 10,000-seat Turnpike Stadium was constructed in Arlington for the minor-league Dallas-Fort Worth Spurs. The 76ers, led by Allen Iverson, upset the Magic 3-1 in the first round. Charley Finley, the owner of the Kansas City Athletics, sought to move his team to Dallas, but the idea was rebuffed by the other AL team owners.

In the playoffs, though, the Magic were seeded number 3 because of tiebreakers and faced the Philadelphia 76ers. In 1962 the American League began to entertain the idea of bringing a professional baseball team to the Dallas/Fort Worth area. In addition, Orlando also acquired brothers Dominique and Gerald Wilkins, who were past their primes but were still regarded as NBA greats. Team uniform colors: Red, blue and white, with script "Washington" across the player's chest. Armstrong again led the team emotionally, winning the NBA's Sixth-Man and Most Improved Player awards. Kennedy Memorial Stadium in 1968) on East Capitol Street and the Anacostia River. In 1998-1999, with the acquisition of Matt Harping and Michael Doleac and a healthy Hardaway and Anderson, the Magic tied for the Eastern Conference's best record in the lockout-shortened season, 33-17. Stadium (renamed Robert F.

Anderson, combined with newly acquired free agent Bo Outlaw, led the team to a respectable 41-41 record, just out of reach of the NBA playoffs. In addition, Rony Seikaly was traded before the season started to the New Jersey Nets for three role players and a future draft pick. The team played its games at D.C. However, the season was hampered by injuries, as Hardaway sat out the majority of the season . Ted Williams of Boston Red Sox fame managed the team from 1969 to 1971, and moved with the franchise to Arlington, Texas in 1972. In addition, Hall of Famer Julius Erving joined the Magic's front office, giving Orlando immense hope for a successful season. Frank Howard was the team's most accomplished player. The Magic hired Chuck Daly to be head coach for the 1997-1998 season. In eleven seasons, the Senators posted only one winning season (1969).

In the middle of the season, though, urged by player discontent, management fired coach Brian Hill and named Richie Adubato as interim coach for the rest of the season. When the second Washington Senators (the original Senators existed in the 1890's) moved to Minnesota in 1960, Major League Baseball awarded a team to Washington, D.C., giving it the name of the old franchise. In the playoffs, the Magic stunned the favorites Miami Heat in the first round 3-2 after losing the first two games. They are in the Western Division of the American League. However, the Magic still mananged to compile a 45-37 record, led by Hardaway, Darrell Armstrong, the team's emotional leader, and newly-acquired free agent Rony Seikaly. The Texas Rangers are a Major League Baseball team based in Arlington, Texas, a suburb in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. In the offseason, in a huge blow to the Magic franchise, O'Neal left as a free agent to the Los Angeles Lakers. Arizona Rangers.

The combination of Jordan and rebounder Dennis Rodman was too much for the Magic, and Orlando was swept 4-0 in the Eastern Conference finals. Bakersfield Blaze
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Spokane Indians. In the playoffs, after the Magic defeated the Detroit Pistons and the Atlanta Hawks, Orlando met the Bulls in the Eastern Conference finals. Frisco RoughRiders. However, the Magic were seeded number two, behind the amazing 72-10 record the Chicago Bulls accumulated under Michael Jordan. Oklahoma RedHawks. In the 1995-1996 season, the Magic again dominated the Eastern Conference and the Atlantic Division with a 60-22 record, led by O'Neal and Hardaway. American League
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The Houston Rockets, though, ended Orlando's dream of a championship by sweeping Orlando 4-0 in the Fianls to take the crown. Pitching Strikouts: 301 (1989) Nolan Ryan. In the playoffs, the Magic defeated the Boston Celtics, Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls, and the Indiana Pacers, advancing to the NBA Finals. Pitching Wins: 25 (1974) Ferguson Jenkins. However, in the 1994-1995 season, the Magic's sixth season, after acquiring rebounder Horace Grant as a free agent from the Chicago Bulls, Orlando compiled a 57-25 record, best in the East and winning the Atlantic Conference title. Strikeouts: 185 (1986) Pete Incaviglia. However, the underdog Pacers team swept the Magic 3-0 in the first round, thus ending the Magic's season. Hitting Streak: 28 games (2000) Gabe Kapler.

The Magic were in the playoffs for the first time, ranked the second seed in the Eastern Conference. Stolen Bases: 52 (1978) Bump Wills. With the lethal combination of O'Neal and Hardaway, the Magic became a dominant team in the NBA, compiling the first 50 win season in franchise history with a 50-32 record. Triples: 10 (1986) Rubén Sierra, (1993) David Hulse. In the draft, the Magic selected Chris Webber, but traded him to the Golden State Warriors for the number three pick, guard Anfernee Hardaway (known as "Penny" Hardaway) and three future first-round draft picks. Doubles: 50 (1998) Juan González. In addition, despite having the NBA's best non-playoff record (and thereby the least chance of gaining the top draft pick), the Magic again landed the number one draft spot. Runs: 133 (2001) Alex Rodriguez.

In the offseason, Guokas stepped down as head coach, and Brian Hill was promoted to become the Magic's second coach. Hits: 216 (2004) Michael Young. However, the Magic missed that year's playoffs, because they were tied with the Indiana Pacers for the 8th (and final) playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and because the Pacers owned the tiebreaker. Batting Average: .341 (1991) Julio Franco. The Magic again were the NBA's most improved franchise, and O'Neal garnered All-Star starter status and the Rookie of the Year award. Runs Batted In: 157 (1998) Juan González. O'Neal, a 7-1 center, made an immediate impact on the Magic, leading the club to a 41 - 41 record. Home Runs: 52 (2001) Alex Rodriguez.

With the first overall pick, the Magic selected big-man Shaquille O'Neal from Louisiana State University. 42 Jackie Robinson (retired throughout baseball). The club's history was changed dramatically with the 1992 Draft. 34 Nolan Ryan. 1992 was a more disappointing season for the Magic, who finished with a 21 - 61 record. Hampered by injuries, the Magic had a then franchise-record 17 game losing streak. 26 Johnny Oates (his number is scheduled to be retired during the 2005 season). Combined with the fast-paced energy style of Skiles, who was named the NBA's Most Improved Player at the end of the season, the Magic heralded the NBA's most improved record that season. Mickey Tettleton.

In the 1990 NBA Draft, the Orlando Magic selected Dennis Scott with the fourth overall pick. Scott, known as a sharpshooter, helped the Magic compile a 31 - 51 record, still under Coach Guokas. Frank Tanana. The Magic's first victory came 2 days later, as the Magic pounded the New York Knicks 118- 110. Jim Sundberg (Texas Rangers Hall of Famer). Despite playing a hard-fought game, the visiting New Jersey Nets won 111- 106. Dave Stewart. The club's first game was on November 4, 1989, at the Orlando O-Rena. Iván Rodríguez (AL MVP, 1999).

In the club's first draft in 1989, the Magic chose Nick Anderson with the 11th pick in the first round. Alex Rodriguez (AL MVP, 2003). The inaugural team compiled a respectable 18-64 record with players including Reggie Theus, Scott Skiles (now current coach of the Chicago Bulls), Terry Catledge, Sam Vincent, Otis Smith, and Jerry Reynolds. Mickey Rivers. Led by former Philadelphia 76ers general manager Pat Williams, the Magic hired Matt Guokas as the team's first coach. Rafael Palmeiro. The Orlando Magic officially entered the NBA as an expansion franchise in 1989. Al Oliver.

The Orlando Magic are a National Basketball Association team based in Orlando, Florida. Johnny Oates (Manager 1995-2001, Texas Rangers Hall of Famer). Magic Fan Message Board (http://magicmadness.us/). Mark McLemore. Orlando Magic Fan - News and rumors (http://www.orlandomagicfan.com/). Ferguson Jenkins (Texas Rangers Hall of Famer). AmIAnnoying.com - Orlando Magic (http://www.amiannoying.com/(tvzdgtiwcey31555j0cjsvff)/view.aspx?id=11520&collection=3069). Frank Howard.

Magic Fan Hangout Message Board (http://www.ezekielbearsports.com/bbs/forumdisplay.php?f=25). Charlie Hough (Texas Rangers Hall of Famer). Official Summer Pro League web site for the Orlando Magic (http://www.summerproleague.com/). Juan González (AL MVP, 1996, 1998). Orlando Magic official web site (http://www.nba.com/magic/). Will Clark. Tom Sterner. Jeff Burroughs (AL MVP, 1974).

Randy Ayers. Dick Bosman. It is expected that at least one more will be hired.. Bert Blyleven. Assistant Coaches: Note: Brian Hill has recently announced the following two assistant coaches. Buddy Bell (Texas Rangers Hall of Famer). Head Coach: Brian Hill.   1 Steve Smith (third base).