Adrian Beltre Reaches 3,000 Careers Hits

Texas Rangers veteran Adrian Beltre became the 31st Major League Baseball player to reach 3,000 hits for a career on Sunday and following his hit, his three children ran to the outfield and unveiled a logo that commemorated his feat. He called the moment one of the best in his lifetime.

Beltre reached the 3,000-hit plateau during the fourth inning of the Texas Rangers 10-6 defeat at the hands of the Baltimore Orioles.

Buck Showalter the manager of the Orioles said it had been an honor to see Beltre’s 3,000th hit and even better that his team walked away with the win. Showalter said everyone in baseball has respect for Beltre, not only for the statistics he has put up, but for the way he has handled his success during his long career.

Texas was already losing 4-0 at the time Beltre hit a hard ground ball down the line past third base and into left for a double. He was playing in the 2,771st game of his career.

His teammates, who were huddled on the top steps of the Texas dugout, ran onto the playing field following the double to celebrate with the veteran.

Beltre’s son Adrian Jr. and two daughters left their seats close to the dugout that they had shared with other family members that included Beltre’s parents.

Beltre said following the game that there were several great players from the Dominican Republic both past and present and he was proud to be just one of the many. He called that moment extra special because he was able to share it with his father on what in the Dominican Republic was Father’s Day.

This is Beltre’s 20th season in the big leagues, and he became just the third MLB player to reach 3,000 hits who primarily played third base joining a pair of Hall of Famers Wade Boggs and George Brett.

His milestone took place just minutes after Ivan Rodriguez the former catcher for the Rangers ended his Hall of Fame induction speech. Beltre will likely join Pudge in the Hall as reaching 3,000 career hits traditionally has been a ticket to becoming elected.

Texas manager Jeff Bannister, who called Beltre the next Hall of Famer, said that July 30 will now always be Ranger Day for Texas Rangers fans.

A message that Rodriguez had prerecorded while in Cooperstown that congratulated Beltre on reaching 3,000 hits was played on the video boards of the stadium following the end of the fourth inning.