The baseball world woke up on Tuesday morning and learned Adrian Beltre announced his retirement from MLB after 21 seasons in the majors.
The 39-year-old, who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox and Texas Rangers, released a statement officially announcing he is stepping away from the game he has loved and played his whole life.
#ThankYouAB pic.twitter.com/wZO9K18yVJ
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) November 20, 2018
Beltre finished his career with a .286/.339/.480 slash line with 477 home runs, 3,166 hits and 1,707 RBIs. He was a four-time All-Star third baseman, a four-time Silver Slugger award winner and a five-time Gold Glove recipient at third base.
His career came to a close with the Rangers, the team he spent the final eight seasons of his career with. Considered by many to be one of the best defenders at his position in MLB history with some of the best numbers at the plate among his peers, Beltre is potentially a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
Following the announcement, current and former players weighed in on Twitter with their own tributes and appreciations for Beltre’s career.
Congrats on an unbelievable career Adrian Beltre! The total package at the hot corner. I will save a seat for u at the third baseman’s table of the members dinner in Cooperstown my man! Enjoy retirement buddy.
— Chipper Jones (@RealCJ10) November 20, 2018
Congrats to Adrian Beltre on one amazing hall of fame career.. it was an honor to play against you and to get to know such a great player and person!
— Matt Carpenter (@MattCarp13) November 20, 2018
Beltre had .421/.492/.737 line against me, but it came with a .511 BABIP. Chalk it up to bad luck
— dan haren (@ithrow88) November 20, 2018
https://twitter.com/MikeyY626/status/1064901225085251584
Gracias Adrian 🇩🇴 pic.twitter.com/54A2UtdrGO
— Jose Ramirez (@MrLapara) November 20, 2018
You're not the only one. #ThankYouAB pic.twitter.com/uvyT7qM1co
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) November 20, 2018
#ThankYouAB … no, but seriously, thank you for allowing me to get you in to the Hall of Fame single handedly!
What a career. Happy to have competed against you the last 7 years!
— Dallas Keuchel (@kidkeuchy) November 20, 2018
Thank you Capitan!! You Will be missed, Thank you for being a great role model to the guys from our country! 🙏🏻 #FutureHOF #ThankYouAB https://t.co/ILmrOrZ03h
— Jonathan Hernandez (@jonathanhdez06) November 20, 2018