CELEBRATING Adrian Beltré

Adrian Beltré ranks at the top of several all-time lists among third basemen, including most hits (3,166), plate appearances (12,130) and RBI (1,707). But maybe his combination of home runs (477), doubles (636) and Gold Glove Awards (five) says it best: No other non-outfielder in big league history has ever meshed offense and defense at those levels.

Signing with the Rangers following the 2010 season, Beltré helped Texas win its second straight American League pennant and gained national attention when he hit three home runs in Game 4 of the ALDS vs. the Rays. Following that outburst, Beltré’s next home run came in Game 5 of the World Series, a game-tying blast that saw Beltré drop to one knee on a powerful swing that sent the ball over the left field wall at Rangers Ballpark. Texas went on to win that contest but fell to the Cardinals in seven games.

Emerging as a franchise icon, Beltré won Gold Glove Awards in 2011, 2012 and 2016 while leading the majors in hits with 199 in 2013. He finished seventh-or-better in the AL Most Valuable Player voting in four out of five seasons from 2012-16 and became just the third third baseman (following George Brett and Wade Boggs) to reach the 3,000-hit mark in 2017.

When he retired following the 2018 season, Beltré had amassed five Gold Glove Awards, four Silver Slugger Awards and four All-Star Game appearances. Only Brooks Robinson has totaled more games at third base than Beltré’s 2,759.