On Monday, the team unveiled the “One Riot, One Ranger” statue outside Globe Life Field in Arlington, restoring the monument to prominence six years after it was removed from Dallas Love Field amid controversy over the history of the Texas Rangers law enforcement agency.
The statue, originally donated to the City of Dallas in 1961, depicts a Texas Ranger and bears the inscription “Texas Ranger of 1960,” along with the phrase “One Riot, One Ranger.” It was taken down in 2020 during a broader national reckoning over historical monuments and allegations of racial injustice.
Critics at the time argued that elements of the Texas Rangers’ history — particularly during periods of segregation and frontier violence — warranted deeper scrutiny. Author Douglas Swanson claimed the statue’s model had been involved in state-led resistance to integration, an assertion disputed by Russell Molina, a board member of the Texas Ranger Association Foundation.
“We recognize that the history of the Texas Rangers, like that of our state and nation, includes moments that must be confronted honestly,” Molina said in a statement Monday. “While not everyone who has served across more than two centuries lived up to the ideal, most did — and they deserve to be remembered for their service, sacrifice, and commitment to the people of Texas.”
After its removal, the statue was stored and later slated for inclusion in a proposed museum in Waco that ultimately never materialized. It was kept at Alliance Airport in Fort Worth before discussions between the Texas Ranger Association Foundation and the baseball team led to its relocation to Globe Life Field.
New addition to the concourse ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/j2OT4CrQzW
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) March 2, 2026
The phrase “One Riot, One Ranger” is widely believed to trace back to an 1896 incident involving Ranger Capt. William McDonald, who was reportedly dispatched alone to break up an illegal prize fight. When asked where additional officers were, he allegedly replied, “Hell, I ain’t enough? There’s only one prize fight.”
Ray Davis, majority owner of the Texas Rangers baseball team, framed the statue’s return as part of the organization’s broader commitment to supporting law enforcement.
“Our charter as a baseball club and our foundation is we support kids, first responders, and law enforcement,” Davis said. “In Texas, the point of the spear for our law enforcement are the Texas Rangers. We are very proud to be associated with them.”
Molina emphasized that the monument honors the institution as a whole, not a single individual. “This statue represents all Texas Rangers,” he said, adding that the modern agency reflects diversity and professionalism.
The statue now joins six others outside the stadium, including tributes to Nolan Ryan, Ivan Rodriguez, Adrian Beltre, former Arlington Mayor Tom Vandergriff, the team’s fans, and the club’s 2010 World Series appearance.
