Over a month and a half has passed since the Texas Rangers unveiled the “One Riot, One Ranger” statue at Globe Life Stadium, yet the New York Times continues to bemoan the “controversy.”
The statue is a 12-foot-tall representation of a Texas Ranger in a cowboy hat, gun on his hip. It was dedicated on March 2nd and stands in the left field concourse. Interestingly, this isn’t its first appearance; it was originally installed at Dallas Love Field Airport in 1963 but was taken down in 2020 following criticism from left-wing activists who labeled it “racist.”
Critics assert that the statue portrays Captain Jay Banks, who supposedly played a role in maintaining school segregation. Activists also argue that the statue’s name, “One Riot, One Ranger,” references a 1930 report where Rangers intervened after an angry mob kidnapped and burned a Black man accused of assaulting a white woman.
The Athletic mentioned that the team expressed concern about the statue, claiming MLB tried to downplay its unveiling by scheduling the ceremony during spring training, a time when many reporters were absent, and avoided questions about it afterward.
“A reason for potential controversy is linked to the man the statue depicts: Jay Banks, a former Ranger known for enforcing segregation policies at Mansfield High School and Texarkana Junior College under the directive of then-Governor Alan Shivers,” The Athletic noted.
On the flip side, supporters counter these claims, arguing that the statue represents the Texas Rangers’ “long history” of law enforcement. They insist that the incident inspiring the statue’s title happened in 1896 when the Rangers intervened in an unauthorized bounty hunt in Dallas.
The organization commented, “The Texas Rangers have long been recognized in Texas history, with roots stretching back over 200 years to before the Republic of Texas.” They added, “The statue, familiar to many in Dallas, will welcome visitors at Globe Life Field as a testament to our origins, enduring spirit, and community ties.”
Following this, the paper sought to contrast Major League Baseball’s celebration of Jackie Robinson Day with the “racist” statue in Dallas.
“MLB is set to honor Jackie Robinson Day on Wednesday,” the Times remarked. “Robinson’s legacy is a pivotal aspect of our sport’s history. Nearby, community leaders are organizing a press conference to assert why they feel this statue contradicts Robinson’s legacy.”
It’s worth noting that Jackie Robinson Day has no direct connection to the statue unveiled in Texas over a month ago. Additionally, despite activist claims, the statue does not explicitly depict Ranger Banks, the man tasked in 1956 by Democratic Texas Governor Alan Shivers to prevent school integration at Mansfield High School.
Activists and some journalists have consistently linked the statue to the historic Ranger, yet available records from the statue’s creation do not mention Banks. Activists seem to insist on this connection without substantiation, as noted by The Athletic.
There is, however, a photograph of him alongside Banks after the statue was made, and the old ranger had previously claimed to be its model.
Since the statue’s installation at the airport and its removal in 2020, activists and NAACP members have critiqued it for glorifying racism. The Athletic sought comments from the Rangers and MLB officials regarding the statue, but they strategically chose not to respond.
