Rangers’ Adrian Beltre is on the brink of multiple milestones

The Texas Rangers were truly “off” on Monday. They’ll work out in the afternoon on Tuesday and Wednesday.

“We’ve got to stay sharp,” Adrian Beltre said. “We’re waiting to see who’s going to come over. But for the most part, we’ll just practice a little and prepare for the team we’re going to face.”

Beltre was pulled by manager Jef Banister in Sunday’s regular-season finale at the start of the fourth inning to a large standing ovation from Rangers fans.

“I wanted our entire team and fan base to recognize a great baseball player and future Hall of Famer,” Banister said. “I wanted him to feel the love of our players and fans. He is a masterful player.”

Beltre did not know it was coming.

“He did not let me know,” said Beltre, who was pulled after two at-bats and after he went to third base to start the fifth. “I thought I was going to take three at-bats today. But that was kind of cool.”

Beltre, 37, tipped his cap to fans as he reached the dugout. He finished the season hitting .300 for the sixth time in his career and fourth time with the Rangers.

“They’re like our 26th man. We really appreciate their support and we want to thank them,” he said.

He’ll begin the 2017 season 58 hits shy of 3,000, nine doubles shy of 600, 29 RBIs shy of 1,600 and 55 homers from 500.

This story was originally published October 3, 2016 at 5:10 PM with the headline "Rangers’ Adrian Beltre is on the brink of multiple milestones."