“Be happy today! Even if it’s just to screw the haters”Anonymous“
Tonight before the start of the fourth game of the final series between Estrellas Orientales and Tigres del Licey, the news will be received that Adrián Beltré will be immortal Cooperstown and will join Juan Marichal, Pedro Martínez, David Ortiz and Vladimir Guerrero.
Thanks to Ryan Thibodaux because every day gave us the opportunity to continue this race towards immortality.
It is important to know that third base is the least represented position in the Hall of Fame. It’s hard to say exactly why, but none of that matters in the case of Adrián Beltré who overcame all obstacles with ease during his incredible 21-year career.
The son of Bienvenido -Negrito- Beltré and Doña Andrea was signed by Rafael Ávila for the Los Angeles Dodgers for $23,000 in 1994. After his second season in the Major Leagues, the Dodgers admitted to falsifying documents to show that his year of birth was 1978, meaning the club illegally hired him when he was 15 years old.
Major League Baseball (MLB) fined the Dodgers and their staff at Las Palmas Academy for the transgression, but denied agent Scott Boras’ request to make Beltré a free agent. However, he reached the majors at 19 years and 78 days, making him the second-youngest player to debut in the Wild Card era.
He played great defense right away, but was inconsistent at the plate during his first six seasons, but that all changed in 2004, when Beltré broke out with his best offensive season: .334/.388/.629 line with 200 hits, 104 runs, 9.6 WAR and an MLB-high 48 home runs, plus 22 defensive runs saved at third base.
In 2010, in his only season in Boston, he won his first Silver Slugger, led the majors in doubles (49) and finally earned a berth in the All-Star Game. Beltré immediately returned to free agency and signed a five-year, $80 million contract with the defending American League champion Texas Rangers, where his offense made its presence felt by winning another Silver Slugger and helping the Rangers to win a second consecutive pennant.
He also hit three home runs during the Rangers’ division-title-clinching victory and then hit .300 with two home runs in the World Series. Beltré’s home run in the seventh inning of the classic Game 6 against the Cardinals seemed to be the run that clinched the series, but St. Louis came back to take the game and the series.
In the midst of his growth as a hitter in Boston and Texas, it suddenly became clear that Beltré was marching toward Cooperstown.
On July 30, 2017, he became the first member born in the Dominican Republic of the 3,000 hits club. He retired in 2018 as the all-time hits leader among players born outside the United States.
Hail Adrián Beltré, well-deserved immortality.
A day like today
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1965: At the Quisqueya stadium in the first match of the final series, the Águilas del Cibao defeat the Leones del Esído 7-3. Dan Osinski scored the victory.
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1974: In the fifth game of the final series, Licey beats the Águilas 2-1 at Quisqueya. Greg Shanagan got the win and Charlie Hough got the save.
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1975: The Estrellas de Oriente whitewashed the Águilas 2-0 in the sixth game of the final series at the Cibao stadium. Joaquín Andújar pitched 7 innings and Silvano Quezada completed both innings. Larry Melbourne and Pepe Frías had two hits.
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1979: Willie Mays receives 409 of 432 votes in the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) election to be enshrined in the Cooperstown Hall of Fame. A unique combination of speed, power and magic with the glove, Mays is the first player to finish his career with 300 home runs and 300 steals. His running catch in the first game of the 1954 World Series is still considered one of the greatest defensive plays of all time.
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1981: In the first game of the final, the Chosen won 6-4 against the Águilas, where Steve Ratzer was the winner. Luis Lora batted 3-for-3 and Mike Fischlin batted 2-for-3.
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2010: The Baltimore Orioles and Miguel Tejada reach a one-year deal worth $6 million.
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2019: The Estrellas Orientales win their first Dominican League title in 51 years, defeating the Toros del Este five games to one in the final. Néstor Cortés pitches six scoreless innings in Game 6, while Odrisamer Despaigne, Román Méndez and Jumbo Díaz add one each. José Siri drives in two to lead a balanced offense in a 4 – 0 victory, while Paolo Espino takes the loss.
Sports reporter. Baseball lover and his experiences.
2024-01-23 10:03:12
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