HOME ON THE RANGE: RANGERS SCORING BIG WITH MERCHANDISE

     Spurred by the success of the team on the field, Arlington-
area retailers have been "ringing up" sales of Rangers
merchandise "at least two or three times faster" than last year,
according to the DALLAS MORNING NEWS.  At The Ballpark in
Arlington, fans have already bought $770,000 more in merchandise
than stadium shops and booths sold in '95.  Rangers Merchandising
Dir Nancy McCusker said sales per fan at The Ballpark are 70-80%
above the MLB team average while adding the increased sales are a
function of increased attendance.  An estimated 2.8 million
tickets will be sold this season, compared to 1.9 million last
year.  Manufacturers also have seen an increase in sales of
Rangers merchandise.  Cap maker Drew Pearson Marketing says team
sales to retailers increased 600% over last year.  Logo Athletic
GM Eddie White said their Rangers' sales doubled in the past year
(Andy Dworkin, DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 8/21).