ARLINGTON -- The Rangers will retire Adrián Beltré uniform No. 29 before Saturday’s second game against the Athletics.
Beltre, who retired at the end of last season, will be joined by his wife Sandra, daughters Cassie and Camila and son A.J. among other family members.
“It will be different,” Beltre said. “I’m trying to put it in perspective. I didn’t expect it so soon. To have your number retired is something that is really cool, and I’m really appreciative to the organization for that. I’ll see how it will be tomorrow with the family and kids and just try to enjoy the day.”
The Rangers are expecting over 40,000 fans for the second game, so people are encouraged to arrive early and avoid the last-minute long lines. The ceremonies are expected to begin at 7:10 p.m. CT with the game’s first pitch scheduled for 8:05 p.m.
Fox Sports Southwest reporter Emily Jones is serving as the Master of Ceremonies. Other special guests include former Rangers teammates Michael Young, Prince Fielder and David Murphy. Also attending will be former Rangers pitcher Steve Foucault (1973-76) and Julio Borbon (2009-10), who both wore uniform No. 29. So too did Rusty Greer (1994-2002), but he is following his son Mason and the Colleyville Heritage team in the UIL Class 5A state high school baseball tournament.
Beltre was with the Rangers from 2011-18, the final eight seasons of a 21-year career that included 3,166 hits, 477 home runs, four Rangers Player of the Year Awards, five Gold Gloves and four All-Star appearances. He is ranked with Hall of Famers Mike Schmidt, Brooks Robinson, Eddie Mathews and George Brett as one of the greatest third basemen in baseball history.
“The Rangers mean a lot to me,” Beltre said. “They gave me the chance to come to this city and join what was already a good team and give me a chance to win the World Series. My expectations, it ended up being better than what I thought. My teammates were really good and the fans were unbelievable. I couldn’t have asked more from the fans and the support, not only to me but the entire organization.”