Adrian Beltre, Hall of Fame.


Adrian Beltre ...
Hall of Fame class of 2024, Adrian Beltre.

Adrian Beltre was inducted into the Hall of Fame yesterday. He played twenty-one seasons, the last eight of those with Texas. They were also the best eight years of his career.

Beltre seemed to get better with age. He put up one of his better offensive seasons in 2017, just one year before retiring. 

But this isn’t a story about numbers. It’s a story about a guy who did everything right. Adrian Beltre never let us down. Not when he was at bat. Not when he was winning gold glove after gold glove. Not when he was exemplifying excellence on the field, or in the dugout, or off the field.

Beltre was a Hall of Fame person as much as he was a Hall of Fame player. In his typically humble induction speech, he thanked his family, his coaches, scouts, God, and his teammates, including his favorite teammate, Elvis Andrus.

For eight years Rangers fans got to see Adrian Beltre at third base. When you watching greatness, you think it will always be there. Until it’s not. Then, you miss every second of it.

Thanks for the memories, Adrian. You are missed.

*****  
TODAY’S GAME: