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Rangers stalwart shortstop ready for Hall of Fame moment this weekend in Arlington

He was much more than Adrian Beltre's sidekick and comedic partner, he was the backbone of the Texas Rangers.
ByJeff Speicher|
Los Angeles Angels v Texas Rangers
Los Angeles Angels v Texas Rangers | Tim Heitman/GettyImages

This weekend is more than just a crucial three-game set against AL West rival Seattle Mariners, it will be a time to honor and celebrate a Texas Rangers legend.

Longtime Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus will officially become the 27th person inducted into the Texas Rangers Baseball Hall of Fame before first pitch of Saturday afternoons matchup against Seattle.

Elvis Andrus was the Rangers' best defensive shortstop

Earlier this season, The Athletic put together the Texas Rangers All-Quarter Century team with one huge mistake that bothered many of the true-blue Rangers' fans. It was missing Andrus. Instead, slotted in the shortstop position was Alex Rodriguez.

Listen, from a purely statistical point of view, it makes sense. A-Rod led the league in home runs in each of his three seasons in Arlington but die-hard fans felt like the real heart and soul shortstop in Elvis Andrus, deserved that spot.

The Rangers have never had a shortstop with the range of Andrus. He would often get to balls in the gap and make the Jeter-esque jumping throw to get the out at first. He did it so often that it almost felt routine and fans took it for granted.

At 1,652 games, Andrus played the second-most games at shortstop in franchise history behind "Mr. Ranger" Michael Young himself, who played an unbelievable 1,823 games at the position. Third place isn't even close.

Elvis Andrus was an underrated hitter and baserunner as well

Andrus doesn't get enough credit for his offensive prowess over his career with Texas recording 1,743 hits for a .274 batting average. While his reputation as a line drive hitter, Andrus also contributed 76 homers and 636 RBIs. On the basepaths, the speedy Andrus had 305 stolen bases with a high of 42 in 2013.

But he will largely be remembered as both the defensive anchor of the Rangers' World Series teams in 2010 and 2011 and for his childlike approach to the game. He and Beltre were like a younger brother constantly tugging at the pant leg of the older brother, desperate to be included in the fun.

Elvis was the only person who could rub Adrian's head and get a smile out of him. He reminded fans that baseball is just a bunch of grown men playing a kid's game, and along the way, managed to earn a trip into the Rangers Baseball Hall of Fame.

Andrus played for the Rangers for 11+ seasons from 2009-2020. Get out to the ballpark a little early if you can on Saturday, and watch him get rewarded for his long and distinguished Ranger career.