Adrian Beltre’s greatest moments for the Texas Rangers

10 years ago on this date, the Texas Rangers made one of the most impactful signings in club history.

A decade has gone by since the Texas Rangers made one of the greatest signings of the 2010-11. offseason.

In a bidding war with the division rival Los Angeles Angels, the Texas Rangers came out on top by signing third baseman Adrian Beltre.

That six year, $96 million dollar deal with the Rangers was a steal when we look back on it.

We think of how the A.L. West may have been changed if Beltre was an Angel. Would the Rangers have made it to back-to-back World Series?

We will never know, and I’m glad we won’t.

Not only did the signing of A.B help deepen an already great lineup, upgrade the defense substantially and create buzz in Texas, it also created a wave of greatness throughout the Rangers organization.

Adrian Beltre had arguably the greatest run with any single organization over an eight year span.

His impact on the field and off was one thing, but he also became an immediate fan favorite for all of Rangers nation and DFW sports, alike.

His name will forever be enshrined with names like Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Witten as a true DFW sports icon, by embracing the city and its fans wholeheartedly.

Here are just a few of many of Adrian Beltre’s greatest, most impactful moments in his illustrious Rangers career.

Leading the way to a Texas Rangers World Series appearance in 2011

Adrian Beltre made an immediate impact in his first year with the Texas Rangers, not only helping them get to the 2011 postseason, but also producing at the highest level.

Beltre played extraordinarily well in the regular season and postseason, but in Game 4 of the 2011 ALDS, he did the unthinkable.

His three homer game against the Tampa Bay Rays not only stamped his place as one of the greatest to ever dawn “Texas” across their jersey, but he accomplished what hadn’t been done since Adam Kennedy in 2002.

A feat that had only been accomplished five times prior to his 2011 showing, putting him in elite company with baseball legends Babe Ruth (twice), Reggie Jackson and George Brett.

That incredible performance helped propel Texas into the ALCS and World Series for the second straight year.

A clutch moment in Texas Rangers’ postseason history

Over the many years of his career, Adrian Beltre had gotten pretty accustomed to hitting homers, but he had a certain flair to those bombs.

His signature drop down to one knee swing became the silhouette of his retirement logo and a widely familiar pose to Ranger fans and to fans all over baseball.

Every Texas Ranger fan dreamt of seeing him golf a 12-6 curveball out of The Ballpark in Arlington on one knee.

But out of all the 199 homeruns he hit as a Texas Ranger, the most famous of his one knee shots was during Game 5 of the 2011 World Series.

In true Adrian Beltre fashion, he clubbed a Chris Carpenter curveball into the left-center seats to tie Game 5 up, 2-2.

Hearing “The Natural,” being greeted by Nelson Cruz and Elvis Andrus at the top step of the dugout, a flamboyantly excited Ron Washington and the subtle, respectful clap from the great Nolan Ryan all bring back the nostalgia and really embrace how respected Adrian was.

But, even that was just the beginning of his incredible run as a Texas Ranger.

Don’t touch his head

Adrian Beltre was one of the most respected athletes of his time, throughout the league and into other sports.

He took his craft seriously, but also had the time of his life playing the game.

Like the on-deck circle incident, Adrian Beltre had his fair share of moments that made any baseball fan chuckle

From his outstanding relationship with fellow legends Felix Hernandez and Miguel Cabrera, to his brotherhood and mentorship of current Ranger Elvis Andrus, A.B. loved to have fun.

Many might remember when he ran up the left field line in Houston to avoid being tagged out in a rundown, playing “tag” on second base with any and all who would join, and so many more memories where he just wanted to have fun.’

For Texas Ranger fans, we fondly remember his dancing in the batter’s box and him rubbing his back pocket after getting hit with a Felix Hernandez breaking ball.

But more often than not, his antics with shortstop Elvis Andrus were the most memorable.

From calling and miscalling pop-ups to coaching Elvis after not running out a double, which looked to be gone, their relationship may go down as one of the best baseball brotherhoods in history.

AND REMEMBER, DO NOT TOUCH BELTRE’S HEAD.

Adrian Beltre joins the 3,000 hit club in a Texas Rangers uniform

Adrian Beltre had some memorable moments in Texas Rangers history, but none surpassed his clutch 3,000th hit on July 30, 2017.

A day game against Baltimore, hot as it could be, Globe Life Park was as full and as loud as it had ever been.

Fans refused to sit when Adrian would come to the plate, rising and chanting his name throughout his at-bats. They knew what was soon on the horizon.

Then, the fourth inning rolled around.

Texas was down 4-0 to the Baltimore Orioles, and Adrian’s second at-bat was coming up.

The crowd rose to their feet, chanting, screaming, hollering as ball one, ball two and ball three passed by the Rangers legend.

Then on a 3-0 count, with Nomar Mazara on first base, Wade Miley through a two-seam fastball that ran a little to far over the heart of the plate.

Crack.

Adrian had just snuck it fair down the left field line and pulled up at second base with his 3,000th career hit.

Both dugouts cleared as the uproar of the crowd became deafening.

Hugs came all around from his teammates and, soon, his family.

The Rangers staff dropped the congratulatory banner below the Coca-Cola scoreboard in center field, and his kids revealed his image and the number “3,000” on the right field wall.

This was truly a moment all Rangers fans will never forget, and for me who was in attendance that day, those tears of joy shed will never be forgotten.

A Texas-sized legacy

Adrian Beltre’s legacy as a Texas Ranger will never be forgotten.

A man who played the game with integrity, honor and passion, who played the game the “Ranger way.”

From his Gold Gloves to his All Star selections, from his antics and his love of the game to his smile that could warm an already scorching hot ballpark, Adrian Beltre was the true definition of Texas Rangers baseball.

His number retirement was more than deserved, and reflects the great admiration the fans, front office and players had for him.

His eight seasons in Texas will never be forgotten, and all of those memories and moments only help his case for one day being a first ballot Hall of Famer.

So Adrian, thanks for being a Texas Ranger and, from all of us fans, we can’t wait to see you dawn a “T” on your hat in Cooperstown.