Dominican Player Adrián Beltré is headed to the MLB Hall of Fame

The 2024 Major League Baseball Hall of Fame class will include Adrián Beltré.

Beltré’s illustrious 21-year career at third base was recognized by the Baseball Writers Association of America. Beltré, received 95.1% voting support from the BBWAA members Tuesday night.

Joining Beltré are former players Joe Mauer, and Todd Helton, and former manager Jim Leyland. 

Beltré’s career started back in 1994 when Los Angeles Dodgers scouts recognized his talent in the Dominican Republic. Los Angeles signed him despite only being 15 years old at the time. It would take Beltré four years to work his way to the major league and make his debut. Beltrés debut came on June 24, 1998, vs the Anaheim Angels. Dodgers would win the game 6-5 in 11 innings. Beltré was a key contributor in the win as he got his first hit which was a rbi-double at the age of 19. His first home run came against the Texas Rangers on June 30, 1998 in Arlington, Texas.

The Dominican would steadily improve and become one of the best players in all of baseball. By 2004, he led the league with home runs with 48 and was awarded a Silver Slugger award. The huge season brought him success off the field as he signed with the Seattle Mariners for five years worth 64 million dollars. Beltrés’s next five seasons were elite. He was a two-time Gold Glove winner and he was able to hit for the cycle against the Rangers on Sept. 1, 2008. After the 2009 season, he headed to the East Coast and joined the Boston Red Sox on a one-year prove-it deal. His time in Boston was impressive he hit 28 home runs, a .321 batting average, and 102 RBI’s earning his first All-Star nod at the age of 31. 

The one-year bet on himself paid off as he earned a five-year contract worth 80 million with the Texas Rangers. This would be the final stop for the third baseman before he retired in 2018. In his time in Texas, Beltré was a three-time All-Star, two-time Silver Slugger, and three-time Gold Glover. Another accomplishment that came during his time as a Ranger was his 400th home run in May. 15,2009 against the Cleland Indians. His third and final cycle against the Houston Astros on Aug.3, 2015. In 2017, Beltré became the 31st player in MLB history to reach 3,000 hits and the first Dominican to reach this accomplishment. The hit came on a stand-up double against the Baltimore Oriels in July. 30,2017 in Arlington. 

Beltré is one of the greatest third basemen in MLB History and one of the greatest Dominicans to ever play the game of baseball.

Career statistics 

• Games played 2,9333 
• Season played 21
• Batting average.286
• Hits 3,166
• Home runs 477
• RBIs 1,707
• Stolen bases 121
• All stars 4
• Golden Glove Awards 5
• Platinum Gloves 2
• Texas Ranger Jersey number 29 retired
• Texas Rangers Hall of Fame 
• MLB Hall of Fame