Adrian Beltre traces career in thankful Hall speech
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Staff Reports, Staff reports
- July 22, 2024
Adrian Beltre hit right notes in induction speech
Before Adrian Beltre could start his induction speech on a glorious Sunday afternoon, Hall of Famer David Ortiz walked behind him and gently rubbed the front of his scalp. Most of the Hall of Famers and many in the crowd at the Clark Sports Center in Cooperstown, N.Y., laughed.
Beltre, who famously hated to have his head touched during his legendary career, laughed. The gentle teasing was a perfect start for a speech that covered practically all parts of Beltre’s baseball career.
Beginning with the friend who invited Beltre to play on a youth team in the Dominican Republic when Beltre was only 13 all the way to his Rangers teammates and Ranger fans, Beltre thanked them all.
“Like they say, everything is bigger in Texas,” Beltre said to Rangers fans. “And you showed me big love.”
Using his second language of English for most of his speech, Beltre weaved through all parts of his career. He switched momentarily to Spanish to thank his parents and significant people who helped him early during his time in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ academy in the Dominican.
Grateful Adrian Beltre
Then he switched back to English to thank his wife, son and daughters.
“Everyone has their own experiences in baseball and in life,” Beltre said. “My path to Cooperstown has been shaped by the people who spent time teaching me every step of the way. With their help, I continued to learn and improve to make my way here.”
From there he started mentioning his former Dodgers teammates, beginning with Jose Vizcaino. Beltre was one of four new inductees into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. He joined Twins legend Joe Mauer, Rockies great Todd Helton and former manager Jim Leyland.
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He gave the second speech, following Helton. Beltre’s speech highlighted his love for baseball and the people he met along the way. He thanked friends and family, teammates, coaches, managers and the trainers he had on each team.
“Baseball was my passion,” he said. “And it blessed me with countless opportunities. And the best part was: I loved it.”
Four of the five Dominicans in the Hall of Fame were among the 51 Hall of Famers who took the Induction stage at the Clark Sports Center. Pedro Martinez, who became the second Dominican to be inducted in 2015, missed the ceremony.
Martinez posted a message congratulating Beltre via Instagram. Juan Marichal, the first Dominican inducted into the Hall in 1983, was joined at the ceremony by fellow Dominican Hall of Famers Vladimir Guerrero Sr. and Ortiz. An estimated crowd of 28,000 attended the induction ceremony.
Jim Leyland captures Hall’s essence
“My contributions to our beautiful pastime pale in comparison to the joy it has brought to my life,” Leyland said. “From the heart of a little boy and the soul of an old man.”
Mauer, who played 15 seasons, was the youngest of the inductees at 41 years old. Beltre, 45, was the second youngest. Helton, 50, is almost 30 years younger than Leyland, 79.
They all thanked their families, sprinkling one-liners throughout their speeches. Leyland perhaps put it best for all of the Hall of Famers and fans.
“No matter which Hall of Famers you’re here to support or what team you cheer for, your presence is always felt,” Leyland said. “On your feet in the ninth with the home team clinging to a one-one run lead, turning on your television for the first game of the World Series and seeing 50,000 fans waving towels, hoping and praying that this may be their year, or a little boy or girl getting their first autograph and scurrying back to the stands to show their mom and dad their latest treasure, ladies and gentlemen, that’s you.
“That’s baseball. And this is the Hall of Fame. Thank you very much.”
Staff Reports
Staff reports
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