NEW YORK-. – He Dominican Adrian Beltre has all the round numbers to enter the Baseball Hall of Fame without any delay in your first year of eligibility.
He is the only third baseman in history with 3,000 hits and 400 home runs in his career, as well as a five-time Gold Glove winner at the position. He played 2,759 games at third base, second on the all-time list behind the recently deceased Brooks Robinson.
Only one of 12 players in history to exceed 3,000 hits (3,165 total) and 400 home runs (477 total). Nine of the 11 are in the Hall of Fame. The exceptions? Alex Rodríguez and Rafael Palmeiro, players who were suspended for using doping substances.
Beltré stands out among the 12 players making their debut on the Baseball Writers Association of North America (BBWAA) ballot, and 26 players in total. The voting results for the Class of 2024 will be announced on January 23.
Sign up now for Beltré to enter on the first try, become the fifth Dominican with a plaque in the museum of baseball immortals in Cooperstown — the induction ceremony will be on July 22 — and follow in the footsteps of Juan Marichal, Pedro Martínez , Vladimir Guerrero and David Ortiz.
Beltré registered 98.9% of the votes in 179 ballots that had been released at dawn on Friday, collected by Ryan Thibodaux in his vote count. Players who receive 75% of the votes are exalted, and Beltré had only been left out on two of the ballots.
You will also receive my vote, the ninth I have cast as a member of the BBWAA. In fact, it was the first box to fill.
Fine elegance fielding. Productive with the bat — that memorable one-knee home run for the Texas Rangers in the 2011 World Series — year after year. And fun in every way.
As much can be said about Beltré, who signed his first contract at age 15, debuted at age 19 and played for 21 seasons. More than anything, his legacy is distinguished by the spontaneity with which he enjoyed himself every day, although it made him angry that his companions hesitated by touching his head.
My favorite moment has nothing to do with statistics, but rather his ease.
In 2017, four hits away from reaching 3,000 and in a game that Texas lost by a defeat against the Marlins, Beltré was taking swings waiting for his turn when umpire Gerry Davis ordered him to do so on the mat. rubber in the waiting circle used for this. Instead of moving, Beltré dragged the rug toward where he was standing. Convinced that Beltré was flouting his order, the umpire decided to expel him from the game.
The incident could not have been more viral, as it was interpreted as a challenge to baseball traditions. After the game, Beltré managed to put on a straight face as he vehemently defended himself.
FOUNTAIN: AP
