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Beltré, after all, will probably be going into the Corridor of Fame donning a Rangers cap. Texas is the place Beltré had essentially the most success all through his profession. There’s actually no denying that. However earlier than that, he began off his profession with the Dodgers.
The historical past between Beltré and the Dodgers is a bit sophisticated and one each side most likely want may’ve gone in a different way. In one other world, Beltré could be getting honored as a Dodger on Sunday, and his No. 29 could be hanging at Dodger Stadium shortly thereafter.
Regardless of that, Beltré nonetheless loved some actually nice recollections all through his seven-year profession with the Dodgers. Let’s check out three moments that stand out from Beltré’s time with Los Angeles.
When all of it startedTommy Lasorda, who was the Dodgers’ basic supervisor in 1998, had seen sufficient. He was able to make the shocking choice to name up a 19-year-old Beltré to the Majors — only a few years after Los Angeles signed Beltré as an beginner free agent from the Dominican Republic in 1994.
Beltré has typically talked about his Main League debut on June 24, 1998, towards the Angels and the way a lot he credit Lasorda for his profession success.
“He was one of many best younger males we ever had in our group,” Lasorda stated throughout Beltré’s jersey retirement in Arlington in ‘19. “No matter he accomplishes for the remainder of his life, he performed for the Dodgers.
Beltré wasn’t as dominant with the Dodgers as he was with the Rangers (199 homers, .865 OPS in 1,098 video games over eight seasons with Texas), however he’ll perpetually say his journey to Cooperstown began in Los Angeles. In seven seasons with the Dodgers, Beltré hit .274 with a .794 OPS, 176 doubles, 147 homers and 510 RBIs in 966 video games.
First of manyBeltré’s first profession hit got here throughout his first Main League recreation, when he hit an RBI double off Chuck Finley in his first at-bat. His first profession homer, nevertheless, took a bit of longer to occur.
Sarcastically and fittingly sufficient, Beltré’s first profession lengthy ball got here within the Ballpark in Arlington, a spot he grew very aware of throughout his illustrious eight-year profession with the Rangers. Beltré’s two-run homer off Rick Helling on June 30, 1998, traveled to straightaway heart discipline. Beltré went on to hit 476 extra homers in his 21-year profession.
Finest season ever?Beltré earned three of his 4 All-Star nods with the Rangers (2011, ’12 and ’14) and one with the Purple Sox (’10). However his finest particular person season got here as a member of the Dodgers.
After a little bit of an up-and-down begin with Los Angeles, Beltré confirmed his spectacular offensive recreation in ‘04. As a 25-year-old, Beltré was lastly beginning to bulk up and dwell as much as his immense potential.
Beltré tallied 200 hits, together with 48 homers, with 121 RBIs, 104 runs scored and a 1.017 OPS (all profession highs) in 156 video games. He completed second in Nationwide League Most Invaluable Participant voting behind Barry Bonds, who posted a ridiculous .609 on-base share and 1.422 OPS.
Beltré turned a free agent for the primary time in his profession after the ’04 season. He has since stated he needs he would’ve completed his profession with the Dodgers. However he ended up signing a five-year, $64 million cope with the Mariners, which proved to be a foul slot in a pitcher-friendly ballpark.
There’ll at all times be some “what if’s” had Beltré began and completed his profession as a Dodger. Now, he’s a frequent customer at Dodger Stadium, and he’ll be remembered perpetually in Cooperstown.
