ARLINGTON -- Although Adrian Beltre won't be playing when the Rangers open a three-game series with the Yankees on Friday, he'll be front and center the whole night.
Before the game, Beltre will be honored for becoming the 31st member of the 3,000-hit club, which he did with a fourth-inning double off of the Orioles' Wade Miley on July 30. The pregame ceremony will begin at 6:20 p.m. CT, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05.
There will be a proclamation from the city of Arlington, as well as an award from his home country of the Dominican Republic. Beltre will also be honored with several presentations and videos from the Rangers, former players and Hall of Famers, as well as a highlight video featuring narration from legendary broadcaster Bob Costas.
Rangers manager Jeff Banister and former teammate and Rangers Hall of Famer Michael Young will give speeches during the ceremony.
The Rangers also announced that the balls used for Friday's game will be emblazoned with a commemorative logo featuring Beltre's 3,000th hit on them. These baseballs will be used in pregame batting practice as well, so anyone who arrives early can have a chance to grab one. Fans in attendance will be receiving commemorative baseball cards for Beltre's 3,000th hit as well.
Limited edition Adrian Beltre 3K caps are available through a special ticket offer for Friday and Saturday's games. Fans who purchase their tickets for either game via www.texasrangers.com/beltre3k will receive a voucher that can be redeemed for the hat. Cap distribution will take place both days on the third-base concourse from the time gates open until the conclusion of the third inning. For fans who have already purchased tickets, 500 caps will be available at the Texas Rangers Foundation kiosk (located on the third-base concourse by Section 14) for a $15 donation to the foundation.
On Saturday, the first 15,000 fans through the gates for the 12:05 p.m. CT game will receive a Rangers on-deck circle mousepad, hearkening back to Beltre's antics on July 26 against the Marlins, when he was ejected for dragging the on-deck circle.