On Saturday, the Rangers host a doubleheader against the Oakland A’s. Before the nightcap, Adrian Beltre will finally be back in the ballpark he belongs in to have his number 29 retired.
Arguably the greatest Ranger of all time, Adrian was the leader and personality of this Rangers team in the greatest stretch in franchise history. With 1098 career at-bats, Beltre finished his career with the Rangers with a .304/.357/.509 stat line. His home run hitting power came, went away, came back, then went away again, but 2016 was one of his best with .300/.358/.521, 32 home runs, 104 RBIs, and a Gold Glove.
Before his number is retired on Saturday, let’s go back and look at some of the moments that made Beltre one of the greatest Rangers of all time.
Taking a Knee
A classic on the knee home run in Game 5 on the 2011 World Series
Game 6, 2011 World Series
Going back to back with Cruz in Game 6 of the 2011 World Series (The game ended after this half inning. Do not let anyone else tell you otherwise)
Walk Off
A walk off against Oakland in the middle of July that made you feel like the team was in a playoff series
While some of his best moments came while playing baseball, most of the fun in his career came while goofing off. This is what really made Adrian such a loveable player.
On-Deck
Moving the on-deck circle in the bottom of the eighth of an 18-8 ball game
Everyone touching his head
Adrián Beltré hated having his head touched.
So of course, teammates and opponents touched his head all the time. pic.twitter.com/p3p7paA7C9
— ESPN (@espn) November 20, 2018
And finally, his antics with Elvis Andrus.
3,000 Career Hits
But his best moment as a Ranger was easily his 3,000 career hit. A brutal day game in toward the end of July, a packed Globe Life Park watched history
Thank you Adrian, for not only being one of the greatest players in franchise history, but also for making baseball fun. Your antics and joy made watching the game as a kid that much more fun.
Your at bats were must watch, your glove on the hot corner was the best one I have seen in person, and your smile was huge during it all.
29 will be on display for the rest of the time at the new ballpark, where people will be able to tell kids about you and your antics.
If the Rangers ever find a third baseman half as good and fun as you, we’ll be ecstatic.
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