ARLINGTON – If the number 29 hanging from the rafters isn’t a sign of baseball immortality, this number certainly is.
Texas Rangers legend Adrián Beltré will be honored with a bronze statue outside Globe Life Field in 2025, Rangers executive vice president of ballpark entertainment promotions and production Chuck Morgan announced Saturday during a pregame ceremony honoring the third baseman’s induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Beltré will be the third former Rangers player to have a statue placed outside the stadium. Catcher Ivan Rodriguez’s statue stands at the home plate entrance of Globe Life Field, while pitcher Nolan Ryan’s statue stands on the north side of the ballpark. It was not immediately clear when or where exactly Beltré’s statue will be erected.
The 45-year-old was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in July and celebrated during the Rangers’ weekend series against the Minnesota Twins. An exhibit dedicated to Beltré’s career was unveiled Friday at Globe Life Field’s indoor arena and will be on display for the duration of the season.
Before Saturday’s game, he was honored with an on-field ceremony where Hall of Fame infielder Paul Molitor — now part of the Twins’ television crew — helped unveil Beltré’s Hall of Fame plaque, brought from Cooperstown, N.Y. Former Rangers teammate and friend Elvis Andrus was also in attendance, giving a speech and participating in a ceremonial pregame “double play turn” in lieu of a traditional first pitch. José Leclerc, the Rangers’ right-handed relief pitcher and also a native of the Dominican Republic, presented Beltré with a cowboy hat.
“You’ve seen a lot of me lately, so I’ll keep it short and sweet,” Beltré said during his ceremony. “I’ve been fortunate to be able to play the game I love with great teammates, a great coaching staff and a great support system… I’m just grateful to be able to play and enjoy what I’ve done. I’m really grateful and thank God for everything that’s been happening in my life lately.”
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