Tex Rickard: Born 150 Years Ago Today

Born 150 years ago today George Lewis “Tex” Rickard (1870-1929).

We’ll cut to the chase as to what Rickard is known for. He built the 3rd Madison Square Garden, which held its first event in 1925; he also headed the committee that built the Boston Garden, and founded the New York Rangers, originally known as Tex’s Rangers, which made a good deal more sense. Texas has Rangers. New York? Has no Rangers. But then, his incarnation of Madison Square Garden wasn’t anywhere near Madison Square either.

Rickard grew up in Sherman, Texas, where he became a cowhand by age 11, and a sheriff by age 23. A couple of years later, he palled around with Wyatt Earp during the Alaskan Gold Rush. He made his first money prospecting, and opened a combination saloon, hotel, and casino, which he soon lost through gambling. Later he would open other such establishments both in Alaska and in Nevada, where he also prospected. In this he had much in common with Alexander Pantages. During these early years he also began promoting his first boxing matches, which is principally what he was known for throughout his life. He staged bouts with such fighters as Bob Fitzsimmons,James J. Jeffries, Jack Johnson, Jess Willard, Jack Dempsey, Gene Tunney, and others. He made a pile of money doing this. Other entrepreneurial ventures included a cattle ranch, dog tracks, and a radio station.

His life was cut short in 1929, four days after his 59th birthday, from complications from appendicitis. His incarnation of MSG would survive him by almost 40 years.