ALDS Game 4: Rangers at Rays-Adrian Beltre Belts 3 Home Runs

I have been a Dodgers fan for longer than many of you have been alive, and one of my favorite players was third baseman Adrian Beltre. He had an MVP season in 2004 where he hit .334-.388-.629 with 48 HRs, 121 RBI and 104 runs scored, and then left via free agency when agent Scott Boras took him to Seattle on a 5 year contract. I can remember the day I heard the news that he signed with the Mariners, I was at work, and I was livid. I was beside myself.

Beltre had a game for the ages yesterday as he went 3-4 with 3 home runs, 3 RBI and 3 runs scored in the Rangers ALDS clinching 4-3 win over the Rays on Tuesday. Beltre homered twice off of Jeremy Hellickson and once off of Matt Moore, and joined Adam Kennedy, Babe Ruth, George Brett, Reggie Jackson, and Bob Robertson as the only hitters who have hit 3 home runs in a playoff game.

The Rangers will await the winner of the Tigers-Yankees series, with their next game on Saturday night. 

Getting back to Beltre, he had an excellent season at the plate this season, hitting .296-.331-.561 with 32 HRs, 105 RBI and 82 runs scored. I guess you can say he is proving his critics wrong, those who say he only performs in contract years, which is quite short-sighted. 

I think he can be a Hall of Famer when he eventually calls it a day, but that probably won't be for a long time as Beltre is only 32 years of age. Assuming he can play till the age of 38, he could end his career with 450+ HRs and 1,600-1,700 RBIs.