Beltre passes Brett on all-time hits list

Rangers veteran also takes over top spot among third basemen

September 15th, 2018

SAN DIEGO -- recorded two doubles against the Padres in San Diego, and reached another career milestone in the Rangers' 4-0 win on Friday night.
Beltre tallied his 3,154th and 3,155th career hits, passing George Brett for sole possession of 15th place on baseball's all-time hits list. His second double also made Beltre the owner of the most hits in baseball history by a player whose primary position is third base.
"How about that third baseman?" manager Jeff Banister said with a smile. "He's fun to watch and it's fun to watch the names he's passed."
Beltre led off the sixth inning with his first hit of the night, a double down the left-field line off of . He doubled again in the ninth inning, this one coming off of .

Beltre isn't one to enjoy being the center of attention, and admits routinely that he doesn't like to talk about his own success. But passing Brett made for a surreal experience for the 39-year-old.
"For me, obviously, passing George Brett, the best third baseman ever -- I have a lot of respect for that man," Beltre said. "Just to be mentioned around his name is humbling for me.
"Sometimes it's hard for me to believe that I'm able to do something even close to those guys," he added. "Being the third baseman with the most hits in Major League history, that hasn't sunk in yet."
Beltre could reach other milestones in this series. His next home run will be career No. 475, tying Stan Musial and Willie Stargell for 30th all-time.