Formal Request to Remove Controversial Statue From Globe Life Field Already Filed
March 13, 2026 – A North Texas congressman is calling on Major League Baseball and the Texas Rangers to remove a controversial statue recently installed outside the team’s home stadium in Arlington.
U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey sent a letter this week to Texas Rangers co-chairmen Ray Davis and Bob Simpson, as well as MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, urging them to reconsider the placement of the statue titled One Riot, One Ranger at Globe Life Field.
The statue was unveiled at the ballpark on March 2 after previously standing for nearly six decades at Dallas Love Field airport. The sculpture depicts a Texas Ranger and references the historic phrase “One Riot, One Ranger,” which has long been associated with the legendary law enforcement group.
Veasey, who represents Texas’ 33rd Congressional District covering parts of Tarrant and Dallas counties, said the statue’s historical associations raise concerns. In his letter, the congressman argued that the monument may honor a figure connected to opposition to school integration, and said that honoring such a legacy conflicts with the inclusive values that Major League Baseball promotes today.
“Ballparks should be places where families gather, and fans of every background feel welcome,” Veasey said in his statement.
In the letter, Veasey also pointed to baseball’s history of racial integration, highlighting the contributions of trailblazers like Jackie Robinson and Larry Doby, who broke the sport’s color barrier and helped reshape professional baseball.
The Texas Rangers organization has not publicly responded to the request. The team, a member of Major League Baseball, installed the statue as part of a display recognizing Texas history and culture.
The debate surrounding the statue reflects broader national conversations about historical monuments and how figures from the past should be represented in modern public spaces.
For now, the statue remains on display at Globe Life Field as discussions continue.
