Adrian Beltre Announces Retirement After 21 Seasons In MLB

ARLINGTON, TX -- After more than 3,000 hits, 477 home runs, and four All-Star selections, Texas Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre has announced his retirement from professional baseball Tuesday morning. Beltre, 39, is a strong candidate for the Hall of Fame with a resume that also includes six Gold Gloves, four Silver Sluggers, 1,707 RBIs, and a career .286 batting average, ESPN reported.

"After careful consideration and many sleepless nights, I have made the decision to retire from what I've been doing for my whole life, which is playing baseball, the game I love," Beltre said in a statement tweeted Tuesday. "I have thought about it a lot and although I appreciate all the opportunities and everything that baseball has given me, it’s time to call it a career. I have enjoyed the privilege of playing professional baseball since I was 15 years old. I have been blessed to have played 21 seasons at the highest level in Major League Baseball."

One of the only things Beltre, who was born in the Dominican Republic, failed to accomplish during his tenure was winning a World Series. Read his full statement below.

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