There's always been something pleasantly nostalgic about the name of the Texas Rangers' stadium. The Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, like its red-brick facade, harkens back to simpler times, back before corporations plastered their names on every possible piece of sports-related real estate.
Never mind that this peanut-and-Cracker Jack simplicity hasn't been entirely intentional. The Rangers signed a naming-rights deal back in 2004 with Ameriquest, the nation's largest sub-prime mortgage lender. The agreement ended three years later when the company -- and the global economy -- collapsed.
As appealing as the ballpark's no-frills name may be, it represents millions of dollars in potential revenue, which is why it was never going to last.
See also: "Welcome to AT&T Stadium": Jerry Jones Finally Sells His Stadium's Naming Rights
The Rangers are about to hold a press conference announcing a new naming-rights deal with Globe Life and Accident Insurance Co., according to The Dallas Morning News' Evan Grant.
So, without further ado, welcome to Globe Life Park. Here's the new logo. Note how the "o" has cleverly been transmogrified into a baseball:
Try not to shed too many tears over baseball's lost innocence or whatever. Also, pray that Globe Life doesn't somehow bring about the next global financial crisis.
Send your story tips to the author, Eric Nicholson.