Adrián Beltré had an outstanding career and is now being recognized by Hall of Fame baseball writers as the top third baseman of the past 25 years.
Even after retiring from his Hall of Fame-worthy run—spanning much of the last quarter-century—Beltré continues to receive praise, most recently with his selection to The Athletic’s All Quarter-Century Team.
Throughout the 21st century, Beltré built an impressive résumé filled with Silver Sluggers, Gold Gloves, and countless memorable moments, leaving no doubt that every honor, including this one, is well deserved.
Who else made The Athletic’s All-Quarter Century MLB team?
Longtime baseball writer Jayson Stark of The Athletic unveiled his All Quarter-Century Team, naming Adrián Beltré as his pick at third base alongside legends like Barry Bonds, Derek Jeter, José Altuve, and Mike Trout.
Among the notable runner-ups at third were Chipper Jones, Scott Rolen, and another former Ranger, Alex Rodriguez. Stark’s decision to leave both Miguel Cabrera and Chipper Jones off the final list stirred strong reactions, dominating the story’s comment section with debate over his controversial pick for the hot corner.
Rodriguez’s omission drew the most vocal backlash, but Stark made it clear that A-Rod’s PED suspensions were the deciding factor that kept him off the team.
When it comes to Chipper Jones, a fair argument can be made that his peak seasons largely fell outside the timeframe considered for this team, as much of his prime came during the 1990s. As for Miguel Cabrera, while he’s a lock for the Hall of Fame by 2029, the case for him on this team would have been at first base or designated hitter—positions where he had a more consistent impact—despite his early years spent at third.
Adrián Beltré, meanwhile, earned his rightful place on this roster, yet still remains curiously underrated by many baseball fans. A first-ballot Hall of Famer, member of the 3,000-hit club, 477-home run hitter, and multi-time Gold Glove winner, Beltré is too often overshadowed by Alex Rodriguez in discussions about all-time greats at third base.
There should be no controversy surrounding Beltré’s inclusion. His presence on this team highlights just how deep the talent pool was in MLB over the past 25 years—and how fortunate Rangers fans were to witness his brilliance on a nightly basis.
Seeing a respected voice like Jayson Stark recognize Beltré’s greatness is gratifying for Rangers fans. He was the obvious choice for third base on Levi Weaver’s All-Quarter Century Rangers team, and his on-field energy, power at the plate, and infectious chemistry with teammates like Elvis Andrus made him the quintessential face of Rangers baseball.
