ARLINGTON -- The Rangers have settled on June 8 for the date that they will retire Adrian Beltre's No. 29 uniform number.
Beltre, who called it a career after this past season, will be honored in pregame ceremonies before the Rangers play the Athletics on June 8 at Globe Life Field. The ceremonies will begin at 7:35 p.m. CT with the game beginning at 8:05 p.m. that night.
The Rangers announced on Jan. 25 that Beltre's number would be retired, although the date had yet to be determined. He will be the fourth person to have his number retired by the Rangers along with catcher Ivan Rodriguez, pitcher Nolan Ryan and former manager Johnny Oates. In addition, the Rangers have joined all of Major League Baseball in retiring No. 42 to honor Jackie Robinson.
Rodriguez and Ryan were inducted into the Hall of Fame as Rangers and Beltre is an overwhelmingly strong candidate to be accorded that honor as well, having spent eight of his 21 years in the Major Leagues with the Rangers. His long list of accomplishments includes 3,166 career hits, 477 home runs, five Gold Gloves and four All-Star appearances. The Rangers won three division titles and one American League pennant during his time in Arlington. He was honored four times as the Rangers Player of the Year.
Among third basemen, Beltre has few peers. In addition to being the only player at his position with both 3,000 career hits and 400 homers, he leads all third basemen in career hits and RBIs, and ranks third in home runs behind only Mike Schmidt (548) and Eddie Mathews (512).
Rangers re-sign RHP Rodriguez
The Rangers have re-signed pitcher Ricardo Rodríguez to a Minor League contract after making him a non-tendered free agent at the end of November.
Rodriguez was limited at the beginning of last season with right biceps tendinitis and at the end with an impingement in his right shoulder. He had a 2.51 ERA combined at Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock. In four games with the Rangers, he had a 4.05 ERA.