The Texas Rangers revealed the ‘One Riot, One Ranger’ statue during their home opening series against the Cincinnati Reds at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. The statue, installed in left field, is meant to honor the franchise’s history and legacy, according to team officials.
Originally removed from Dallas Love Field in 2020 amid rising racial tensions, the statue has a complex history tied to race relations. The statue’s removal followed the publication of “Cult of Glory: The Bold and Brutal History of the Texas Rangers,” which examined the law enforcement agency’s past, including controversial actions in the 1950s. The book identified the figure as Capt. Jay Banks, who allegedly led efforts to block Black students from enrolling at local schools in 1957.
Doug Swanson, author of the book, said Banks was photographed leaning against a tree in front of Mansfield High School while a Black figure was hanged in effigy above the school, and Banks was seen making no effort to intervene. Swanson added that Banks sided with mobs seeking to prevent Black students from attending school.
Russell Molina, a board member of the Texas Ranger Association Foundation, acknowledged the organization’s controversial past but said the statue was not solely meant to represent Banks. Molina emphasized that many Rangers throughout history served honorably and deserved recognition.
Swanson told The Dallas Morning News he hoped the new placement would include more context about the organization’s complex history. The Rangers’ official website states that the statue commemorates the law enforcement agency’s role in stopping an unsanctioned Dallas prize fight in 1896 and honors those who have served the organization over the years.
Statues of former MLB players Iván Rodríguez, Adrián Beltré, and Nolan Ryan also stand at Globe Life Field. The unveiling of the new statue has sparked ongoing discussions about how the team acknowledges its historical ties to controversial figures and events, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
