Los Angeles (AFP) – Adrian Beltre, the all-time Major League Baseball hits leader among players born outside the United States, announced his retirement Tuesday after 21 seasons, the last eight with the Texas Rangers.
The 39-year-old Dominican Republic third baseman was the last non-pitcher in the major leagues to play in the 1990s, leaving Dominican pitcher Bartolo Colon of Texas as the only 1990s player in the majors.
Beltre was a four-time all-Star, a four-time Silver Slugger and five-time Gold Glove fielder. He led the majors league in 2004 with 48 home runs for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
He also shares the career major league record by having hit three times for the cycle — a single, double, triple and homer in the same game — with John Reilly, Bob Meusel and Babe Herman.
“After careful consideration and many sleepless nights, I have made the decision to retire from what I’ve been doing my whole life, which is playing baseball, the game I love,” Beltre said.
“I have thought about it a lot, and although I appreciate all the opportunities and everything that baseball has given me, it’s time to call it a career.”
Beltre finished his career having played in 2,933 games, the 14th most in major league history. He also ranks 16th with 3,166 career hits, 24th with 1,707 runs batted in and 30th with 477 homers.
He’s the only third baseman in major league history with 400 homers and 3,000 hits.
Beltre, whose career began with the Dodgers in 1998 at age 19, helped the Rangers reach the 2011 World Series, which they lost to St. Louis in seven games.
“He is one of the greatest third basemen to ever play this game. But his greatest legacy will be as a teammate, a mentor, a husband and a father,” Rangers co-chairman Ray Davis.
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