The Roaming Photographer

Article researched and compiled
by Carrie Birdsong

Photo Credit:

https://www.mlb.com/news/adrian-beltre-number-

1. Born: April 7th, 1979

2. Birthplace: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

3. Batted: Right

4. Threw: Right

5. MLB Debut: 6-24-1998, for the Los Angeles
Dodgers

6. Last MLB Appearance: 9-30-2018, for the Texas
Rangers

7. MLB Statistics:

· Batting Average: .286

· Hits: 3,166

· Home Runs: 477

· Runs Batted In: 1,707

8. Teams:

- Los Angeles Dodgers: 1998-2004
- Seattle Mariners: 2005-2009
- Boston Red Sox: 2010
- Texas Rangers: 2011-2018

9. Career Highlights and Awards:
- 4x All-Star: 2010-2012, 2014
- 5x Gold Glove Award: 2007, 2008, 2011,
2012, 2016
- 4x Silver Slugger Award: 2004, 2010,
2011, 2014

10. NL home run leader: 2004

11. Texas Rangers No. 29 (retired)

12. Texas Rangers Hall of Fame

13. Member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame
- Induction: 2004
- Vote: 95.1% (first ballot)

Adrian Beltre Perez, is a Dominican former professional third baseman. Beltre played for the Dodgers, Mariners, Red Sox, and the Rangers, and is regarded as one of the greatest third basemen of all time.

Making his debut with the Dodgers in 1998 at the age of 19, he led the majors with 48 home runs with the Dodgers in 2004, he was the team MVP for the Red Sox in 2010, played in the 2011 World Series for the Rangers, and tied for the major league lead in hits in 2013. On September 19^th, 2014, Beltre surpassed Vladimir Guerrero as the all-time MLB leader for hits by a Dominican player, a record since broken by Albert Pujols in 2019. On July 30^th, 2017, Beltre became the 31^st player in MLB history to reach 3000 hits and the first Dominican player to achieve that milestone. Beltre retire following the 2018 season with 3,166 career hits (most by a third baseman in MLB history), 477 home runs, and 1,707 runs batted in. He hit for the cycle three times in his career, in 2008, 2012, and 2015, one of five players to do so in MLB history, the others being Bob Meusel, Babe Herman, Trea Turner, and Christian Yelich.

Having played 21 major league seasons and won the Gold Glove Award five times, Beltre is notable for his defensive prowess and career longevity as well as his power hitting. He played in four MLB All – Star Games and won the Silver Slugger Award four times. Upon his retirement, Beltre was the only third baseman in history with 3,000 career hits and 400 home runs. According to Baseball Reference, Beltre has the third – highest Wins Above Replacement among third basemen⁽¹⁾. He retired as the all – time leader 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. In 2024, Beltre was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

Early Life:

Beltre was born on April 7^th, 1979, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic⁽²⁾. He attended Liceo Maximo Gomez High School.

While working out at Campo Las Palmas in 1994, a Los Angeles Dodgers facility – one of the first of its kind for a Major League Baseball team in the Dominican Republic – Beltre was spotted by scouts Ralph Avila and Pablo Peguero. Though only 15 years old and weighing 130 lbs, Beltre featured a quick swing and live throwing arm. On the insistence of Avila and Peguero, the Dodgers signed him in July 1994 with a $23,000 signing bonus.⁽³⁾

Professional Career:

Los Angeles Dodgers (1998 – 2004)

Photo Credit:

https://www.thescore.com/mlb/news/1744641

Beltre 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 affiliate San Antonio Missions, Beltre made his major league debut on June 24^th, 1998, starting at third base in the first game of an interleague series against the Anaheim Angels. At the time, he was the youngest player in the National League⁽⁵⁾. During his first at – bat, Beltre hit a two – out run batted in (RBI) double of Angels starter Chuck Finley into left field to score Paul Konerko from second base to tie the game. Beltre hit his first home run six days later against the Texas Rangers starter Rick Helling. At the end of the 1998 season, Beltre finished with 13 errors at third base while batting .215 with seven home runs.⁽²⁾

At one point during spring training prior to the start of the 1999 season, Beltre’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. Beltre replied that he was 19 years old, not 20. Boras then realized that Beltre’s date of birth in the Dodgers’ records was incorrect and indicated the same to the team, but, that if they were correct the mistake by compensating Beltre 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 Beltre went public. Boras convinced MLB commissioner Bud Selig to investigate the Dodgers, and MLB suspended their scouting operations in the Dominican Republic for one year⁽³⁾, as well and Avila and Peguero. Dodgers general manager Fred Claire, whom MLB did not contact during their investigation, publicly expressed surprise and that he was unaware of the incident⁽⁶⁾. Selig awarded Beltre $48,500 in damages.⁽⁷⁾

In 2004, Beltre had a breakout season⁽⁴⁾ in which he established a number of career highs, including leading the MLB with 48 home runs. Other career highs included batting .334, 200 hits, 121 RBIs, 104 runs scored, .629 slugging percentage, and a then – career high 32 doubles. He finished second in voting for the National League Most Valuable Player Award (MVP) and was honored with his first career Silver Slugger Award and the Babe Ruth Home Run Award.⁽⁸⁾

Seattle Mariners (2005 – 2009)

Photo Credit:

https://sodomojo.com/2021/12/08/mariners-
history-adrian-beltre-deal/

The Seattle Mariners signed Beltre as a free agent before the 2005 season to a five – year, $64 million dollar deal⁽⁹⁾. Regressing to his pre-2004 form, he batted just .255 with 19 home runs and 87 RBIs. Manager Mike Hargrove said after the season that he thought Beltre was personally disappointed in his first season in Seattle.⁽¹⁰⁾

After Beltre batted .167 through April 10^th, Ted Miller of the Seattle Post – Intelligencer wrote that he might become one of the Mariners’ greatest busts⁽¹¹⁾. He hit his first home run on April 29^th, raising his average to .198, and continued to improve his performance, batting .281 with 24 home runs the rest of the season⁽¹²⁾. On July 23^rd, against the Boston Red Sox, Beltre hit an inside – the – park home run, the first one ever in Safeco Field history.⁽¹³⁾

Though it was not a great season for Beltre, it was statistically his best as a Mariner. He hit .276 and had 26 home runs, 99 RBIs, and 41 doubles. He also won a Fielding Bible Award for being the top MLB defensive third baseman during the year.⁽¹⁴⁾

Despite many miscues, Beltre received recognition for his defense in 2007. He tied Brandon Inge for the American League in errors by a third baseman, with 18, but ranked second in the league in assists, total chances, and range factor. He had the lowest fielding percentage of all third basemen in the league at .958^(15)(16). In spite of leading third basemen in errors, Beltre won his first Gold Glove Award, becoming the first Mariners third baseman to win the award⁽¹⁷⁾. He won his second consecutive Fielding Bible Award, as well.⁽¹⁸⁾

On September 1^st, Beltre hit for the cycle,⁽¹⁹⁾ becoming the fourth Mariner to do so. Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Stephen Drew hit for the cycle that day as well, the first time two players had done so since 1920.⁽²⁰⁾

Beltre’s decision not to wear a cup despite playing third base has been well – documented⁽²¹⁾. This came back to hurt him on August 12^th, 2009, when he took a hard ground ball to the groin^(22)(23). Although he stayed in for the remainder of the 14 – inning victory, he was put on the 15 – day disabled list (DL) after suffering bleeding in one of his testicles⁽²⁴⁾. In his first game after returning from the DL, teammate Ken Griffey Jr. conspired with those responsible for the Safeco Field public address system to have Beltre’s walk up music be the opening march from The Nutcracker Suite.⁽²⁵⁾

Beltre declared free agency on November 5^th, 2009.⁽²⁶⁾

Boston Red Sox (2010)

Photo Credit:
https://www.bostonherald.com/2010/03/18/
adrian-beltre-glove-indeed-golden/

On January 10^th, 2010, Beltre signed a one – year, $9 million dollar deal with the Boston Red Sox. The contract had a $5 million dollar player option for 2011 with a $1 million dollar buyout.⁽²⁷⁾

While Beltre’s career before coming to the Red Sox had been regarded as somewhat disappointing, he hit .321 with 28 home runs and 49 doubles in 2010, benefiting from the hitter – friendly Fenway Park⁽⁴⁾. Beltre led the Red Sox in batting average and tied David Ortiz for the team lead in RBIs (102). Beltre led the majors in doubles with 49 (also a career – high). He also finished fourth in the American League in batting average, and was fifth in the American League in total bases (326) and slugging percentage (.553). He also had two stolen bases on the year, and finished ninth in the MVP voting.⁽²⁸⁾

Texas Rangers (2011 – 2018)

On January 5^th, 2011, Beltre signed a five – year, $80 million dollar contract with the Texas Rangers⁽⁴⁾. He played with the Rangers for eight years until his retirement in 2018⁽²⁹⁾. Beltre’s statistics improved when he was in his thirties⁽³⁰⁾. While he had previously played in pitcher – friendly ballparks in Los Angeles and Seattle, the Rangers’ ballpark was known as a hitter – friendly environment⁽²⁹⁾. The Wall Street Journal described Beltre’s Rangers tenure as “nothing short of brilliant”.⁽⁴⁾

2011

Beltre was on the 2011 American League All – Star team⁽⁵⁾. On July 22^nd, Beltre strained jis hamstring and was also placed on the disabled list. On September 4^th, he singled to right for his 2,000^th career hit. On September 11^th, Beltre hit two home runs, including his 300^th of his career, against the Oakland Athletics. He was named the American League Player of the Month for September.⁽³¹⁾

In 2011, Beltre batted .296 with 32 home runs, fifth in the American League⁽⁵⁾. He was third in the American League in slugging percentage (.561), sixth in RBIs (105), and ninth in OPS (On – base Plus Slugging (.892)⁽⁵⁾. The Fielding Bible said he saved 17 runs on defense in 2011.⁽³²⁾

On October 4^th, in Game 4 of the ALDS against the Tampa Bay Rays, Beltre became the sixth player to hit three home runs in a playoff game and the first to do so in a Division Series.^(33)(34)

Beltre played in the World Series with the Rangers⁽³⁵⁾. He added a fourth playoff home run in Game 5 of the World Series when he went down to one knee chasing an outside curve ball from Chris Carpenter^(36)(37). The St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Rangers in seven games.⁽³⁸⁾

More recognition was bestowed on Beltre for his defense. On November 1^st, he was honored with his third Gold Glove Award and first by a Ranger third baseman since Buddy Bell’s six – year run from 1979 to 1984⁽³⁹⁾. He also won his third Fielding Bible Award⁽³²⁾. On November 2^nd, he was awarded the Silver Slugger Award.⁽⁴⁰⁾

2012

Beltre was once again voted on to the All – Star Game as a starter, along with teammates Josh Hamilton and Mike Napoli. It was Beltre’s third consecutive All – Star Game and the third of his career.^(41)(42)

On August 22^nd, against the Baltimore Orioles, Beltre 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 postseason⁽⁴³⁾. On August 24^th, he hit for the cycle for the second time in his career. Both of his cycles came at Rangers 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⁽⁴⁴⁾. He joined Joe DiMaggio as the only players in big league history to have a three – homer game and a cycle in the same week. For his efforts, Beltre was named the American League Player of the Week for August 20^th – 26^th. During the week, he hit .433 (13 – for – 30) with three doubles, one triple, five home runs, nine RBIs, 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 RBIs.⁽⁴³⁾

After the season, Beltre won more defensive accolades. He won his second consecutive Fielding Bible Award and fourth overall⁽⁴⁵⁾. He won a Gold Glove Award⁽⁴⁶⁾ and his second Platinum Glove Award⁽⁴⁷⁾. Wilson Sporting Goods honored him as one of their Defensive Players of the Year Award in the first year of that award.⁽⁴⁸⁾

2013

The Rangers organization named Beltre the team captain in 2013.⁽⁴⁹⁾

Beltre was named the American League Player of the Week for July 1^st – 7^th. He batted .478 (11 – for – 23) with four home runs, two doubles and five RBIs 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. Beltre hit safely in all six games with two or more hits four times. He had the 24^th multi – homer game of his career with a pair of home runs on July 4^th against Seattle.⁽⁵⁰⁾

Maintaining his strong hitting throughout July, Beltre was named the American League Player of the Month, his fourth career monthly award. He batted .369 with four doubles, nine homers, 19 RBIs, and 13 runs scored over 26 games. He tied for the major league monthly lead in home runs with Alfonso Soriano and total bases with Torii Hunter (69). Beltre also was among the American League leaders in slugging percentage (second, .670), hits (tied for second, 38), extra – base hits (tied for fourth, 13), RBIs (tied for fifth) and batting average (sixth). He capped off the month with a walk – off home run to lead the Rangers past the Angels on July 31^st, 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, including Josh Hamilton (four), Rafael Palmeiro, Alex Rodriguez (both with three), Ivan Rodriguez, Juan Gonzalez and Ruben Sierra (two each).⁽⁵¹⁾

For the season, Beltre played in 161 games and totaled a .315 average, 30 homers, 92 RBIs and .509 slugging percentage. 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 American League MVP voting, he was tied for seventh place. The Dallas – Fort Worth chapter of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America named Beltre the Texas Rangers Player of the Year.⁽⁵²⁾

2014

On May 7^th, while facing Jorge de la Rosa of the Colorado Rockies, Beltre hit his 100^th home run as a member of the Rangers, becoming the fifth player in major league history to hit 100 home runs with three teams, following Darrell Evans, Reggie Jackson, Alex Rodriguez, and Jim Thome⁽⁵³⁾. On June 24^th, Beltre singled off Drew Smyly of the Detroit Tigers for his 2,500 career hit and the first hit of a 4 – for – 4 game⁽⁵⁴⁾. On September 18^th, Beltre singled off Sonny Gray in the first inning for his 2,591^st hit, surpassing Vladimir Guerrero as the all – time hit leader among Dominican – born players.⁽⁵⁵⁾

Beltre finished the 2014 season batting .324, his highest average since 2004, with 19 home runs and 77 RBIs in 148 games.⁽⁵⁶⁾

2015

In February, the Rangers picked up Beltre’s option, which would have become guaranteed if he had reached 586 plate appearances in the 2015 season.^(57)(58)

While playing against Cleveland on May 15^th, Beltre hit his 400^th home run on a sinker from Bruce Chen. He became the 52^nd 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.⁽⁵⁹⁾

On August 3^rd, Beltre hit for the cycle with hits in each of the first, second, third, and fifth innings at home against the Houston Astros in a 12 – 9 win. It was his third career cycle, second as a Ranger, and third at 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, joining Long John Reilly, Bob Meusel, and Babe Herman.⁽⁶⁰⁾

During the last week of the season, and the Rangers’ run towards the American League West championship, Beltre batted .448 with two home runs and 13 RBIs. He also went 2 – for – 4 with a home run in the final game of the season to help the Rangers advance to their sixth American League West title. He finished the season with 18 home runs, 83 RBIs, 163 hits, and a .287 average.⁽²⁾

Enduring a torn ligament in his left thumb over the last three months of the season, Beltre had surgery to repair it immediately after the season ended.⁽⁶¹⁾

The Phi Delta Theta fraternity presented Beltre with the 2014 Lou Gehrig Memorial Award on September 17^th, 2015, making him the first Rangers player to win the award. He contributed significantly to humanitarian acts in the Dallas – 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.⁽⁶²⁾

2016

On April 15^th, Beltre and the Rangers agreed to a two – year, $36 million dollar contract extension that would last through the 2018 season. The extension prevented Beltre from becoming a free agent at the end of the season.⁽⁶³⁾

Displaying a drop to one knee, Beltre hit a home run on a curve ball from Jesse Hahn of Oakland on May 17^th(64). In a May 29^th game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Beltre hit a two – run home run off Jaun Nicasio to give him 1,501 career RBIs, making him the 54^th player to reach the milestone and the fourth third baseman⁽⁶⁵⁾. On July 2^nd, Beltre became the 28^th player all time to amass 10,000 career at – bats⁽⁶⁶⁾. On July 23^rd, he became the 36^th player all time to record 11,000 career plate appearances. Two days later, he hit a walk – off home run, the ninth of his career, against the Athletics in the bottom of the ninth inning for a 7 – 6 win.⁽⁶⁷⁾

On August 24^th, Beltre, in a game against the Cincinnati Reds, hit a go – ahead two – out double for his 2,900^th career hit and led the Rangers to a 6 – 5 win. With this hit, Beltre became the 39^th player in major league history to reach this milestone.⁽⁶⁸⁾

Beltre would once again show his signature home run knee drop after hitting a solo shot in the second inning in a game against the Houston Astors on September 13^th. His 30^th of the season, it was the first time he reached the mark since 2013 and fifth in his career⁽⁶⁹⁾. Ten days later, his two – run homer run in the eighth inning against the Athletics aided the Rangers in clinching the American League West division crown for the second year in a row and the seventh in franchise history. He also reached 100 RBIs for the first time since 2012 and fifth time in his career⁽⁷⁰⁾. He won the Gold Glove at third base, the fifth of his career.⁽⁷¹⁾

2017

Beltre began the 2017 season on the 10 – day disabled list after injuring his right leg near the end of spring training.⁽⁷²⁾

On July 4^th, Beltre hit his 600^th career double, becoming the 17^th player all – time to reach that milestone⁽⁷³⁾. On July 7^th, Beltre became the 21^st player to amass 5,000 career total bases⁽⁷⁴⁾. On July 26^th, Beltre was ejected by umpire Gerry Davis; in a game against the Miami Marlins, Davis asked Beltre, who was the next scheduled batter, to move closer to the on – deck circle. Beltre 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.⁽⁷⁵⁾

Beltre collected his 3,000 hit with a double into left field against Wade Miley of the Baltimore Orioles on July 30^th, making him the 31^st player to reach this milestone and the first Dominican – born player to accomplish it.⁽⁷⁶⁾

Beltre played in only 94 games in 2017 due to hamstring and calf problems.⁽⁷⁷⁾

2018

Prior to the start of the 2018 season, the Rangers signed Bartolo Colon,⁽⁷⁸⁾ giving them the only two active players with at least 20 seasons in the major leagues and the last two active player to have played in the 1990’s⁽⁷⁹⁾. On April 5^th, Beltre doubled in the second inning versus the Oakland Athletics to pass Rod Carew as the all – time Latin American hits leader⁽⁸⁰⁾. On June 13^th, Beltre 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, surpassing former Mariners teammate Ichiro Suzuki.⁽⁸¹⁾

On November 20^th, 2018, Beltre announced his retirement.⁽³⁵⁾

Career Statistics:

Texas Rangers - Adrian Beltre
Majestic Royal Alternate

Photo Credit:
Texas Rangers - Adrian Beltre - Majestic Royal Alternate

Adrian Beltre’s number 29 was retired by the Texas Rangers in 2019.

In 2,933 games over 21 seasons, Beltre posted a .286 batting average with 3,166 hits, 477 home runs, 1,707 RBIs, 121 stolen bases, 1,524 runs, 636 doubles, a .339 on – base percentage, a .480 slugging percentage, and a .960 fielding percentage. In 28 postseason games, he hit .261 with five home runs and 11 RBIs.^(5)(29)

Playing Style and Reputation:

Beltre is regarded as one of the greatest third basemen of all time. Having played 21 major league seasons and won five Gold Gloves, he was notable for his longevity, fielding ability, and power hitting.^(4)(29)(35)

Beltre’s signature home run swing included a drop to one knee when connecting with a breaking ball, particularly notable during Game 5 of the 2011 World Series against Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter.^(37)(82)

Beltre’s defensive style what somewhat unorthodox. Rangers manager Ron Washington remarked that Beltre 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⁽⁸³⁾. Beltre 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⁽⁸⁴⁾. Another major league manager Joe Maddon, compared the unique style of Beltre’s defensive play to Ozzie Smith’s “flair at shortstop”, Stan Musial’s “coiled batting stance”, and the way Steve Carlton wrapped his left wrist before releasing a slider. Maddon commented further on Beltre’s defense, “There’s a lot of guys that did things unique to them that weren’t out of the Spalding Guide. They did things you wouldn’t teach, and if somebody else tried to do it, they would not be very good.⁽⁸³⁾” Rangers coach Steve Buechele said, “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.⁽⁸⁵⁾” Beltre was known for the sense of playfulness and joy that he exhibited on the field. He had a routine with Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus on pop flies where both men put their arms up to catch the ball⁽⁸⁶⁾. During a game against the Red Sox on June 26^th, 2016, Sandy Leon hit a foul ball which landed in the first row in the stands, just out of reach of Beltre’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 Leon’s foul ball⁽⁸⁷⁾. As a hitter, Beltre also regularly pointed to the first base umpire to appeal a checked swing, a move usually done by catchers⁽⁸⁸⁾. Beltre also had a joking relationship with Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez, which included Beltre getting ejected in 2010, when the two former teammates first faced each other, and Hernandez hugging Beltre on the field in 2017, the day after Beltre’s 3,000^th major league hit.⁽⁸⁹⁾

Beltre was also known for his dislike of anyone touching the top of his head. Before the game where he recorded his 3.000^th hit, he let his teammates touch his head. Much to his dismay, the act turned into a game, inducing repeat offenders, including Andrus⁽⁹⁰⁾. Beltre also disliked Gatorade 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^th, 2016, he took a broom from the groundskeepers closet and began combining an area of infield dirt. Still, Rougned Odor trotted to Beltre carrying a full drink bucket but missed drenching Beltre when he threw the blue sports drink at his teammate.⁽⁹¹⁾

Awards and Accomplishments:

1. All – World Baseball Classic Team (2006)

2. 4x Fielding Bible Award at third base
(2006, 2008, 2011, 2012)(14)(32)(45)

3. Lou Gehrig Memorial Award (2014)(62)

4. 4x MLB All – Star (2010 – 2012, 2014)(42)

5. 4x MLB Player of the Month (September 2004,
September 2011, September 2012, July 2013)
(31)(51)

6. 6x MLB Player of the Week

(August 27th, 2000; June 27th, 2004; August

26th, 2012; July 7th, 2013; October 4th, 2015;

July 30th, 2017)(43)

7. 2x Rawlings American League Platinum Glove

Award (2011, 2012)(47)

8. 5x Rawlings Gold Glove Award at third base

(2007, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2016)(46)(71)

9. 4x Silver Slugger Award at third base

(2004, 2010, 2011, 2014)

10. 4x Texas Rangers Player of the Year (2012, 2013, 2014, 2016)(92)

11. Thomas A. Yawkey Award (Boston Red Sox team MVP) (2010)

12. Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award for the Texas Rangers (2012)(48)

Selected MLB Accomplishments:

1. First player from the Dominican Republic to reach 3,000 hits.(76)

2. Played 2,933 major league games; upon his retirement, this was the 14th most in major league
history.(35)

3. Retired as the only third baseman in history with both 3,000 career hits and 400 homers.(35)

4. Retired as the all – time leader among third baseman in hits and RBIs and ranked third in home runs
behind Mike Schmidt (548) and Eddie Mathews (512).(35)

5. One of five players to hit 100 home runs with three teams.(53)

6. Hit a record three cycles in the same stadium, Globe Life Park in Arlington.(60)

7. Tied an MLB record as the fourth player to hit for the cycle three times.(60)

8. Sixth player with a three – home – run game in both the postseason (October 4th, 2011) and regular
season (August 22, 2012).(33)(43)

9. Had his number 29 retired by the Texas Rangers in 2019.(93)

International Career:

Beltre played for the Dominican Republic in the 2006 World Baseball Classic (WBC). He was named to the ALL – WBC team after hitting 4 home runs in six games^(94)(95). He also played in the 2017 WBC, batting 1 – for – 15 in four games⁽⁹⁶⁾. In 2017, he was dealing with leg injuries that caused him to miss the beginning of the MLB season.⁽⁹⁷⁾

Beltre was one of several Dominican Hall of Famers assisting general manager Nelson Cruz ahead of the 2026 WBC.⁽⁹⁸⁾

Post – Playing Career:

On June 5^th, 2023, Beltre was named the honorary general manager for the Karachi Monarchs of the Baseball United league for their inaugural season.⁽⁹⁹⁾

Beltre served as the manager for the American League team in the 2024 All – Star Futures Game.⁽¹⁰⁰⁾

Charitable and Humanitarian Work:

Beltre has contributed to humanitarian activities in the Dallas – 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 to the Dave Valle’s Esperanza International as well as foundations established by other major – league players, including Robinson Chirinos, Eddie Guardado, Joakim Soria, and Michael Young.⁽⁶²⁾

In 2021, Beltre helped pay to reconstruct a baseball stadium in the Dominican Republic where he grew up playing.^(101)(102)

Personal Life:

1. Beltre and his wife have three children.⁽⁷⁷⁾

2. For more about Adrian Beltre, click on these links:

· https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/adrian-beltre/

· https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/
beltrad01.shtml

· https://baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/beltre-
adrian