Adrian Beltre’s 3,000th hit just the beginning of a milestone run

Adrian Beltre was already destined to land in Cooperstown, N.Y., once the 38-year-old Texas Rangers’ third baseman decides to retire.

Sunday’s milestone moment, however, was a reminder to anyone who may be slow to the realization that he is one of the very best to ever play the game.

Beltre became the 31st player to reach the 3,000-hit mark, with a hard-hit double down the left-field line in the fourth inning. It came on a 3-0 pitch, the first 3,000th hit to come on such a count. It came against left-hander Wade Miley, who earned the win as the Baltimore Orioles tried to spoil the moment with a 10-6 win Sunday afternoon at Globe Life Park.

Beltre’s moment, of course, will never be tarnished. It could, however, eventually be just one of a long list of his rarefied accomplishments. As well as he’s playing in his 20th season, there seems to be no reason, physically at least, that Beltre couldn’t keep adding to his Hall of Fame résumé for several more years.

Adding to the emotion of the moment was Beltre’s three children joining him on the field to celebrate as 32,437 in attendance roared with delight. His kids first ran out to the outfield fence in right-center field to unveil a tribute to 3,000 hits. They then returned to the infield, where Beltre stood smiling wide, trying to embrace the moment as they raced toward him for hugs.

“What happened today after the hit has been the best moment in my life. I didn’t know how to feel because I had no idea what was going on,” Beltre said. “I thought they were coming to hug me, but they just passed me and went into right field. It was a nice moment. I saw the joy in their faces, and a lot of things you do in your career you do for your kids and your family. My kids and my wife have been so supportive over the years, that this moment was for them.

“When I saw that, I felt like I was on a cloud, because I really saw the joy in their faces.”

The first hit of his career was a double for the Los Angeles Dodgers on June 24, 1998. That also came against a left-hander, the Angels’ Chuck Finley. Beltre is tied with Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente for 30th all time at 3,000 hits. Hall of Famer Al Kaline is next on the list with 3,007.

In fact, all but six of the players with 3,000 or more hits are in the Hall of Fame. Three of them, including Beltre, aren’t yet eligible, and the other three have been tainted by the PED scandals of years past.

Sunday’s double was his 605th, which tied him with Hall of Famer Paul Molitor for 14th all-time. With 30 more doubles he’ll be in the top 10 all time.

“He means so much to this organization and this team. He’s a mentor to every single player, coach. There are things I learn every single day from him that are irreplaceable,” manager Jeff Banister said. “To see him enjoy the moment. You could see it in his face. That moment, in his eyes, in his body language you could tell the emotion [was there]. To watch a true baseball warrior let the guard down just for an ultra second to enjoy it, to embrace it, it was perfect for all of us.

Beltre shared some of his trademark humor when asked how much longer he’ll play.

“Ask that question to my wife,” he joked, maybe. “I feel pretty good. Obviously I’m going on a year-to-year basis. If I feel like my body is good enough to play and I keep enjoying this game, I might stay for a year or two, I don’t know. Obviously, my main reason is, if I stay to win the World Series. Obviously if I don’t win it in the next three years and I don’t feel like my body’s holding up to play to the level that I want to produce, I might just go home.”

And five years after that he’ll be in Cooperstown.

Beltre’s bona fides

Here’s where Beltre ranks all-time in many of the major offensive categories:

This story was originally published July 30, 2017 at 9:11 PM with the headline "Adrian Beltre’s 3,000th hit just the beginning of a milestone run."