Adrian Beltre's top moments for the Texas Rangers

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Adrian Beltre is one of the best third basemen to ever play in MLB. He is characterized by his longevity, playing 21 seasons, as well as his versatility by reaching 3,000 hits while racking up five gold gloves as well. The Texas Rangers were lucky enough to be his longest tenured team as well as the team he retired with. As a result of his incredible skill as a player and being later in his career as a Ranger, he reached some pretty incredible milestones during his time in Texas. There are many great Adrian Beltre moments, here are just a few.

Top Adrian Beltre moments from 2011 and 2012

In his first year as a Ranger, Beltre made his presence felt during the postseason. The Rangers played the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALDS in 2011 and in Game 4 of that series Beltre launched three home runs. All three home runs were solo shots, and the Rangers needed all three as they pulled out a 4 to 3 victory to clinch the series. Those three home runs also accounted for three of Beltre's four hits that series. He had only one hit across the first three games of the series before becoming a superhero for the Rangers in Game 4.

2012 was a truly incredible year in Beltre's career - it's very difficult to pick one moment from this season. Between a three homer game and a cycle in the same week and a gold and platinum glove though I would have to go with the latter. Those awards were his fourth gold glove and second platinum glove representing how much of a defensive stalwart Beltre was on the hot corner. Please enjoy this short highlight reel of some of his best defensive plays for further proof.

Next: 2013-15

Top Adrian Beltre moments from 2013 - 2015

Adrian Beltre's best moment from 2013 was being named captain of the Texas Rangers. It was significant because Beltre was just the third team captain the Rangers had ever had at the time. The two to proceed him were Buddy Bell in 1985 and Michael Young who is widely regarded as "Mr. Ranger" from 2005 to 2012. The combination of production on the field and veteran presence and maturity made Beltre a very fitting member to an exclusive club. It also solidified him as being in rarified air in Rangers history. There has only been one team captain since Beltre: Marcus Semien who was just given that title last season.

Beltre's best moment from the 2014 season was when he reached his 2,500th hit. Only 100 players in MLB history have reached 2,500 hits. He became the all-time leader in hits for Dominican born players in this same season as well, passing Vladimir Guerrero.

Adrian Beltre's cycle against the Houston Astros takes the top spot for his 2015 best moment. That cycle also took him to another level in a few different ways. He became the first player to hit for three cycles in the same ballpark - all three were at Globe Life, two as a Ranger one as a visitor. Beltre also became the only Rangers player to hit for multiple cycles. He truly had a special combination of contact and power.

Houston Astros v Texas Rangers / Sarah Crabill/GettyImages

Next: 2016-18

Top Adrian Beltre moments from 2016 - 2018

2016 was another phenomenal season for Beltre. He won his fifth and final gold glove, but that was not his best moment. His best moment was a go ahead home run against the Oakland Athletics to help the Rangers clinch the AL West. It was their second division title in a row and seventh in the team's history. This clinching home run is a big deal because as most Rangers fans know, success has been limited in the franchise's history. Bringing home a division title will always be a proud moment for the Rangers.

Undoubtedly, Beltre's 3,000th hit was his top moment from the 2017 season. 3,000 hits is an exclusive club in MLB. It is often referred to as a mark reserved for truly elite hitters. Beltre is one of 33 players in MLB history to be a part of this exclusive club. He also became the first Dominican born player to achieve the feat. He was joined by Albert Pujols as the only two in that particular club the next season. If not for such an accomplishment this season, his best moment could have easily been getting ejected for moving the on-deck circle. But we will stick with the accomplishment of him getting his 3,000th hit, on a double no less.

2018 was the last season of Beltre's career. Lucky for all of us, he would retire in a Rangers uniform. His greatest moment during this season was when he became the all-time hit leader for a Non-American born player. He now sits at number 17 all-time on the hits list and is third among Non-American born players behind Albert Pujols at ninth all-time and Miguel Cabrera eight hits ahead of him at 16th all-time.

Those are just some of the highlights that Beltre gave Rangers fans during his time in Arlington. There is little doubt that there will be many of those same fans that make the trip to Cooperstown this summer and get one more thrill from #29, Adrian Beltre.

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