| Adrián Beltré | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Beltré with the Texas Rangers in 2017 | |
| Third baseman | |
| Born: (1979-04-07)April 7, 1979 (age 45) Santo Domingo,Dominican Republic | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| June 24, 1998, for the Los Angeles Dodgers | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 30, 2018, for the Texas Rangers | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .286 |
| Hits | 3,166 |
| Home runs | 477 |
| Runs batted in | 1,707 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
| Member of the National | |
 Baseball Hall of Fame | |
| Induction | 2024 |
| Vote | 95.1% (first ballot) |
Adrián Beltré Pérez (born April 7, 1979) is a Dominican former professionalbaseballthird baseman. During his career, Beltré played for theLos Angeles Dodgers,Seattle Mariners,Boston Red Sox, andTexas Rangers inMajor League Baseball (MLB). He is regarded as one of the greatest third basemen of all time.
Originally signed as an amateurfree agent, Beltré made his MLB debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1998 at age 19. He batted and threw right-handed. Beltré hit a major league-leading 48 home runs while playing for the Dodgers in 2004, was the team MVP of the Red Sox in 2010, played in the 2011 World Series as a member of the Rangers, and tied for the major league lead inhits in 2013. On September 19, 2014, Beltré surpassedVladimir Guerrero as the all-time MLB leader for hits by a Dominican player, a record since broken byAlbert Pujols in 2019. On July 30, 2017, he became the 31st player in MLB history to reach3,000 hits and the firstDominican player to achieve that milestone. Beltré retired following the 2018 season with 3,166 career hits, 477home runs, and 1,707 runs batted in. Hehit for the cycle three times in his career (2008, 2012, 2015), making him one of six players to do so in MLB history.
Having played 21 major league seasons and won theRawlings Gold Glove Award five times, Beltré is notable for his defensive prowess and career longevity as well as his power hitting. He played in fourMLB All-Star Games and won theSilver Slugger Award four times. Upon his retirement, Beltré was the only third baseman in history with both 3,000 career hits and 400 home runs. According to Baseball Reference, Beltré is also the third baseman with the third-highest WAR all time.[1] He retired as the all-time leader amongst third basemen in career hits and RBIs, and ranked third in home runs amongst third basemen. He is also the fifth major-leaguer to have hit at least 100 home runs for three different teams. In2024, Beltré was inducted into theBaseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.
Beltré was born on April 7, 1979, inSanto Domingo,Dominican Republic.[2] He attended Liceo Máximo Gómez High School.
While working out at Campo Las Palmas in 1994, aLos Angeles Dodgers facility — one of the first of its kind for aMajor League Baseball (MLB) team in the Dominican Republic — Beltré was spotted byscouts Ralph Avila and Pablo Peguero. Though only 15 years old and weighing 130 lb (59 kg), Beltré featured a quick swing and live throwing arm. On the insistence of Avila and Peguero, the Dodgers signed him in July 1994 with a $23,000signing bonus.[3]
Beltré was a highly touted prospect when he began his major league career.[4] After being called up to the majors from the then-Dodgers' double-A affiliateSan Antonio Missions, Beltré made his major league debut on June 24,1998, starting at third base in the first game of an interleague series against theAnaheim Angels. At the time, he was the youngest player in theNational League (NL).[5] During his firstat-bat, Beltré hit a two-outrun batted in (RBI)double off AngelsstarterChuck Finley intoleft field to scorePaul Konerko fromsecond base to tie the game. Beltré hit his firsthome run six days later againstTexas Rangers starterRick Helling. At the end of the 1998 season, Beltré finished with 13errors at third base whilebatting .215 with seven home runs.[2]
At one point in thespring training prior to the start of the1999 season, Beltré's agent,Scott Boras, commented to him that "he couldn't believe" his relatively rapid ascent to the majors and handling of "such a difficult position like third base" at age 20. Beltré replied that he was 19 years old, not 20. Boras then realized that Beltré's date of birth in the Dodgers' records was incorrect and indicated the same to the team, but, that if they were to correct the mistake by compensating Beltré for signing him at younger than MLB's allowable age, they would no longer pursue the issue. Team personnel at Las Palmas denied Boras' assertion.[6] As a result, Boras and Beltré went public. Boras convincedCommissioner of BaseballBud Selig to investigate the Dodgers, and Major League Baseball suspended their scouting operations in the Dominican Republic for one year,[3] as well as Avila and Peguero. Dodgersgeneral managerFred Claire, whom MLB did not contact during their investigation, publicly expressed surprise and that he was unaware of the incident.[6] Selig awarded Beltré $48,500 in damages.[7]
In2004, Beltré had a breakout season[4] in which he established a number of career highs, including leading MLB with 48 home runs. Other career highs included batting .334, 200 hits, 121 RBI, 104 runs scored, .629slugging percentage, and a then-career high 32 doubles. He finished second in voting for the NLMost Valuable Player Award (MVP) and was honored with his first careerSilver Slugger Award and theBabe Ruth Home Run Award.[8]
TheSeattle Mariners signed Beltré as afree agent before the 2005 season to a five-year, $64 million deal.[9] Regressing to his pre-2004 form, he batted just .255 with 19 home runs and 87 RBI.ManagerMike Hargrove did not give up hope on Beltré, saying, "I think it's a season that, personally, he's disappointed in. I think it was a year that he will improve on the longer he's here and the longer he's in theAmerican League."[citation needed]
After Beltré had batted .167 through April 10, Ted Miller of theSeattle Post-Intelligencer wrote that he might become one of the Mariners' greatest busts.[10] By June 5, 2006, Beltré's batting average was slowly improving, from .109 on April 16 to .236 at that time. After he had hit his first home run in April and his second later that month, Beltré's hitting began to improve.[citation needed]
On July 23, 2006, against theBoston Red Sox, Beltré hit aninside-the-park home run, the first one ever inSafeco Field history.[11]
Though it was not a great season for Beltré, it was statistically his best as a Mariner. He hit .276 and had 26 home runs, 99 RBI, and 41 doubles. He also was honored with aFielding Bible Award for being the top MLB defensive third baseman during the year.[12]
The2007 season was not one of Beltré's better defensive years statistically. He tied withBrandon Inge for the AL lead in errors by a third baseman, with 18, but ranked second in the league inassists, total chances, andrange factor. He was charged with the lowest fielding percentage of all third basemen in the league at .958.[13][14] In spite of leading third basemen in errors, Beltré was selected for his firstRawlings Gold Glove Award, becoming the first Mariners third baseman to win the award.[15]
On September 1, 2008, Beltréhit for the cycle, at the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington,[16] becoming the fourth Mariner to do so.Arizona DiamondbacksshortstopStephen Drew hit for the cycle that day as well, the first time two players had done so since 1920.[17] He won his second Fielding Bible Award for his defense that year.[18]
Beltré's decision not to wear acup despite playing third base has been well-documented.[19] This came back to hurt him on August 12, 2009, when he took a hard ground ball to thegroin.[20][21] Although he stayed in for the remainder of the 14-inning victory, he was put on the DL after suffering bleeding in one of histesticles.[22] In his first game after returning from the DL, teammateKen Griffey Jr. conspired with those responsible for theSafeco Fieldpublic address system to have Beltré's at-bat intro music be the opening march fromThe Nutcracker Suite.[23]
Beltré declared free agency on November 5, 2009.[24]
On January 7, 2010, Beltré signed a one-year, $9 million deal with theBoston Red Sox. The contract had a $5 million player option for 2011 with a $1 million buyout.[25]
While Beltré's career before coming to the Red Sox had been regarded as somewhat disappointing, he hit .321 with 28 homers and 49 doubles in 2010, benefiting from the hitter-friendlyFenway Park.[4] Beltré led the Red Sox in batting average and tiedDavid Ortiz for the team lead in RBIs (102). He finished the year with 189 hits in 589 at-bats and 84 runs scored. Beltré led the Majors indoubles with 49 (also a career-high). He also finished fourth in the AL in batting average, and was fifth in the AL intotal bases (326) andslugging percentage (.553). He also had twostolen bases on the year, and finished ninth in theMVP voting.[26]
On January 5, 2011, Beltré signed a five-year (2011–15), $80 million contract with theTexas Rangers.[4] He played with the Rangers for eight years until his retirement from baseball in 2018.[27] Beltré's statistics improved when he was in his thirties.[28] While he had previously played in ballparks in Los Angeles and Seattle that are known for being unfavorable to hitters, the Rangers' ballpark was known as a hitter-friendly environment.[27]The Wall Street Journal described Beltré's Rangers tenure as "nothing short of brilliant".[4]
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Beltré was on the 2011 American LeagueAll-Star team.[5] On July 22, Beltré strained hishamstring and was also placed on the DL. On September 4, he hit a line single to right against theRed Sox for his 2,000th career hit. On September 11, Beltré hit two home runs, including the 300th of his career, against theOakland Athletics. He was named the AL Player of the Month for September.[29]
In 2011, Beltré batted .296 with 32 home runs, fifth in the AL.[5] He was third in the American League in slugging percentage (.561), sixth in RBIs (105), and ninth in OPS (.892).[5]The Fielding Bible staff estimated that he saved 17 runs on defense in 2011.[30]
On October 4, 2011, in Game 4 of theALDS against theTampa Bay Rays, Beltré became the sixth player—the first in aDivision Series—to hit three home runs in aMajor League playoff game.[31][32]
Beltré played in the 2011 World Series with the Rangers.[33] He added a fourth playoff home run in Game 5 of the2011 World Series when he went down to one knee chasing an outside curve ball fromChris Carpenter.[34][35] TheSt. Louis Cardinals defeated the Rangers in seven games.[36]
More recognition was bestowed on Beltré for his defense. On November 1, 2011, he was honored with his third Gold Glove Award and first by a Ranger third baseman sinceBuddy Bell's six-year run from 1979 to 1984.[37] He also won his third Fielding Bible Award.[30] On November 2, 2011, he was awarded theSilver Slugger Award.[38]
Once again voted to theAll-Star Game on July 1,2012, Beltré was named a starter. He joined teammatesJosh Hamilton andMike Napoli on the All-Star team. It was Beltré's third All-Star Game and third in a row dating back to 2010 with the Boston Red Sox.[39][40]
In the August 22, 2012, game against theBaltimore Orioles, Beltré hit three home runs in his first three at-bats, including two in the same inning. He joined Pablo Sandoval, Albert Pujols, George Brett, Reggie Jackson and Babe Ruth as the only players to hit a three-homer game in both the regular season and the postseason.[41] On August 24, he hit for the cycle for the second time in his career. Both of his cycles came atRangers Ballpark. With his first coming as a member of the Mariners, it was the first time in MLB history that a player had hit for the cycle more than once at the same stadium.[42] He joined Joe DiMaggio as the only two players in big league history to have a three-homer game and a cycle in the same week. For his efforts, Beltré was named theAL Player of the Week for August 20–26. During the seven games he hit .433 (13-for-30) with three doubles, one triple, five home runs, nine RBI and seven runs scored. He had the highest slugging percentage (1.100) in the majors, the most total bases (33), was tied for first in hits and home runs, and tied for second in RBI.[41]
After the season, more defensive accolades followed Beltré. He won his second consecutive Fielding Bible Award and fourth overall.[43] He was also honored with the Gold Glove Award for the season on October 30,[44] and second Platinum Glove Award.[45]Wilson Sporting Goods honored him as one of theirDefensive Players of the Year; in that year the award was established.[46]
The Rangers organization named Beltré theteam captain in 2013.[47]
On July 8,2013, Beltré was named the American League Player of the Week for July 1–7. He batted .478 (11-for-23) with four home runs, two doubles and five RBI in six games. He led the American League in home runs, slugging (1.087), OPS (1.607), total bases (25), and extra-base hits (six) while producing the fourth-highest batting average. Beltré hit safely in all six games with two or more hits four times. He had the 24th multi-homer game of his career with a pair of home runs on July 4 againstSeattle.[48]
Maintaining his strong hitting throughout July, Beltré was named the American League Player of the Month, his fourth career monthly award. He batted .369 with four doubles, nine homers, 19 RBI and 13 runs scored over 26 games. He tied for the major league lead with bothAlfonso Soriano, in home runs, andTorii Hunter, in total bases (69). Beltré also finished among the AL leaders in slugging percentage (second, .670), hits (tied for second, 38), extra-base hits (tied for fourth, 13), RBI (tied for fifth) and batting average (sixth). He capped off the month with a walk-off home run to lead the Rangers past theAngels on July 31, the seventh walk-off home run of his career, and first with Texas. It was his third monthly award with Texas, making him one of seven players to win multiple times with the Rangers, includingJosh Hamilton (four),Rafael Palmeiro,Alex Rodriguez (both with three),Iván Rodríguez,Juan González andRubén Sierra (two each).[49]
For the 2013 season, Beltré played in 161 games and totaled a .315 average, 30 homers, 92 RBI and .509 SLG. He led the American League with 199 hits and was fourth in batting average and fifth in total bases (321). He also made the top-10 in games played, slugging percentage and home runs. In the AL MVP voting, he was tied for seventh place. The Dallas–Fort Worth chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America named Beltré the Texas Rangers Player of the Year.[50]
On May 7,2014, while facingJorge de la Rosa of theColorado Rockies, Beltré hit his 100th home run as a member of the Rangers, becoming only the fifth player in Major League history to hit 100 home runs with three teams. He joinedDarrell Evans,Reggie Jackson,Alex Rodriguez, andJim Thome.[51]
On June 24, 2014, Beltré singled offDrew Smyly of theDetroit Tigers for his 2,500th career hit, and the first hit of a 4-for-4 game.[52]
On September 18, Beltré singled offSonny Gray in the first inning for his 2,591st hit, surpassingVladimir Guerrero as the all-time hit leader among Dominican-born players.[53]
Beltré finished the 2014 season batting .324 – his highest average since 2004 – with 19 home runs and 77 RBI in 148 games.[54]
In February2015, the Rangers picked up Beltré's option, which would have become guaranteed if he had reached 586 plate appearances in the 2015 season.[55][56]
While playing theCleveland Indians on May 15, 2015, Beltré hit his 400th home run on a sinker fromBruce Chen. He became the 52nd player in MLB history to reach that plateau, and the fourth to do so while playing at least 75 percent of his games at third base.[57]
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Enduring a torn ligament in his left thumb over the last three months of the season, Beltré had surgery to repair it immediately after the season ended.[58]
On August 3, 2015, Beltré hit for the cycle with hits in each of the first, second, third, and fifth innings against theHouston Astros at Globe Life Park in Arlington in a 12–9 win. It was his third career cycle, second as a Ranger, and third at Globe Life, the Rangers' home park, making him the only player ever to hit three cycles in one stadium. He became the first Rangers player to hit for multiple cycles. The first player in 82 years to hit for a third cycle, he became the fourth player to do so and tied the major league record for total career cycles, joiningLong John Reilly,Bob Meusel andBabe Herman.[59]
ThePhi Delta Thetafraternity presented Beltré with the 2014Lou Gehrig Memorial Award on September 17, 2015, making him the first Rangers player to win the award. He had contributed significantly to humanitarian acts in theDallas–Fort Worth metroplex such as Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation, Texas Rangers RBI program, the I Love Baseball program, which operates in the Dominican Republic, the Baseball Tomorrow Fund, as well as the foundations established by a number of major league players.[60]
During the last week of the season, and the Rangers' run towards the AL West championship, Beltré batted .448 with two home runs and 13 RBI. He also went 2-4 with a home in the final game of the season to help the Rangers advance to their sixth AL West title. He finished the season with 18 home runs, 83 RBI, 163 hits, and .287 average.[2]
On April 15,2016, Beltré and the Rangers agreed to a two-year, $36 million contract extension that would cover the 2017 and 2018 seasons. Valued at $18 million each for both seasons, the extension prevented Beltré from becoming a free agent at the end of the season.[61]
Displaying a drop to one knee, Beltré hit a home run on a curve ball fromJesse Hahn ofOakland on May 17.[62] In a May 29 game against thePittsburgh Pirates, Beltré hit a two-run home run offJuan Nicasio to give him 1,501 career RBI, making him the 54th player to reach the milestone, and the fourth third baseman.[63] On July 2, 2016, Beltré became the 28th playerall time to amass 10,000 career at-bats.[64] On July 23, 2016, he became the 36th playerall time to record 11,000 career plate appearances. Two days later, he hit thewalk-off home run, the ninth of his career, against the Athletics in the bottom of the ninth inning for a 7−6 win.[65]
On August 24, 2016, Beltré, in a game against theCincinnati Reds, hit a go-ahead two-out double for his 2,900th career hit and led the Rangers to a 6–5 win. With this hit, Beltré became the 39th player in Major League history to reach the milestone.[66]
Beltré would once again show his signature home run knee drop after hitting a solo shot in the second inning in a game against theHouston Astros on September 13, 2016. His 30th of the season, it was the first time he reached the mark since 2013 and fifth in his career.[67] Ten days later, his two-run home run in the eighth inning against the Athletics aided the Rangers in clinching theAmerican League West division crown for the second year in a row and the seventh in franchise history. He also reached 100 RBI for the first time since 2012, and the fifth time in his career.[68] He was selected as the American League Gold Glove winner at third base, the fifth of his career.[69]
Beltré began the 2017 season on the 10-day disabled list; he had injured his right leg near the end of spring training.[70]
On July 4, Beltré hit his 600th career double, becoming the 17th playerall-time to reach that milestone.[71] On July 7, Beltré became the 21st player to amass 5,000career total bases.[72] On July 26, Beltré was ejected by umpireGerry Davis; in a game against theMiami Marlins, Davis asked Beltré, who was the next scheduled batter, to move closer to the on-deck circle. Beltré responded by picking up the edge of the logo that marked the on-deck circle and moving it closer to where he had been standing, which prompted Davis to eject him.[73]
Beltré collected his3,000th hit with a double into left field againstWade Miley of theBaltimore Orioles on July 30, 2017, making him the 31st player to reach this milestone and the firstDominican born player to accomplish it.[74]
Beltré played in only 94 games in 2017 due to hamstring and calf problems.[75]
Prior to the start of the2018 season, the Rangers signedBartolo Colón,[76] giving them the only two active players with at least 20 seasons in the major leagues.[77] On April 5, 2018, Beltré doubled in the second inning versus theOakland Athletics to passRod Carew as the all-time Latin-American hits leader.[78]
On June 13, 2018, Beltré hit a double that gave him 3,090 career hits; this made him the all-time leader in hits by a player not born in the United States.[79]
On November 20, 2018, Beltré announced his retirement.[33]
In 2,933 games over 21 seasons, Beltré posted a .286batting average[5] with 3,166 hits, 477home runs, 1,707RBI,[27] 121stolen bases, 1,524runs, 636doubles, a .339on-base percentage, a .480slugging percentage, and a .960fielding percentage. In 28 postseason games, he hit .261 (29-for-111) with five home runs and 11 RBI.[5]
Beltré is regarded as one of the greatest third basemen of all time.[4][27][33] Having played 21 major league seasons and won five Gold Gloves, he was notable for his longevity and his fielding ability[27] as well as his power hitting.[4]
Beltré's signature home run swing included a drop to one knee when connecting with abreaking ball, particularly notable during Game 5 of the 2011 World Series in an at bat against Cardinalsace pitcherChris Carpenter.[35][80]
Beltré's defensive style was somewhat unorthodox. RangersmanagerRon Washington remarked that Beltré fielded ground balls incorrectly by stopping before catching the ball and relying very little on the positioning of his feet in throwing the ball to first base.[81] Beltré explained that his arm was so strong that early in his career he was making many throwing errors; by planting his feet, he was able to improve his accuracy despite his lack of proper foot positioning.[82]
Another major leaguemanager,Joe Maddon, compared the unique style of Beltré's defensive play toOzzie Smith's "flair at shortstop",Stan Musial's "coiled batting stance" and the waySteve Carlton wrapped his left wrist before releasing aslider. Commented Maddon further on Beltré's defense, "There's a lot of guys that did things unique to them that weren't out of theSpalding Guide. They did things you wouldn't teach, and if somebody else tried to do it, they would not be very good."[81] Commented Rangers bench coachSteve Buechele, "He's not your most conventional third baseman, he does things his own way and has developed his own style over his career but there's something to be said for his hand-eye coordination and his hands. It's remarkable what he does. ... He's a super smart player, knows where to position himself."[83]
Beltré was known for the sense of playfulness and joy that he exhibited on the field. He had a routine with Rangers shortstopElvis Andrus on pop flies where both men put their arms up to catch the ball.[84] During a game against the Red Sox on June 26, 2016,Sandy León hit a foul ball which landed in the first row in the stands, just out of Beltré's reach. However, instead of returning immediately to the infield, he reached very close to the ball in a motion, pretending as if he were going to take it away from the fan who caught León's foul ball.[85]
Beltré was also known for his dislike of anyone touching the top of his head. Before the game where he recorded his 3,000th hit, he let his teammates touch his head. Much to his dismay, the act turned into a game, inducing repeat offenders such as his infield partner Andrus.[86] Beltré also dislikedGatorade showers. After a game in which he hit a grand slam that provided the decisive runs in a 5–2 win over the Athletics on August 15, 2016, he took a broom from the groundskeepers closet and began combing an area of infield dirt. Still,Rougned Odor trotted to Beltré carrying a bucket filled with Gatorade, and in his attempt to drench Beltré, missed him with the launch of the column of the liquid.[87]
On June 5, 2023, Beltré was named the honorary general manager for the Karachi Monarchs of theBaseball United league for their inaugural season.[90]
Beltré served as the manager for the American League team in the 2024All-Star Futures Game.[91]
Beltré has contributed to humanitarian activities in theDallas–Fort Worth metroplex such as the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation, Texas Rangers RBI program, the I Love Baseball program, which operates in the Dominican Republic, and the Baseball Tomorrow Fund. He has donated toDave Valle's Esperanza International as well as foundations established by other major-league players, includingRobinson Chirinos,Eddie Guardado,Joakim Soria andMichael Young.[60]
Beltré and his wife Sandra have three children.[75] He is good friends with former Mariners teammateFélix Hernández, and the two have often had friendly exchanges on the field while facing each other.[92]
| Awards and achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | National League Player of the Month September 2004 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Hitting for the cycle September 1, 2008 August 24, 2012 August 3, 2015 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
