ARLINGTON, Texas — Adrian Beltre says it doesn’t seem real.
”It still hasn’t sunk in. It blows my mind,” said Beltre.
He is among the baseball elite, and was voted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Tuesday with more than 95% of the vote.
“The fact that my name is going to be called next to Willie Mays, Kenny Griffey, Pudge Rodriguez and Pedro Martinez,” said Beltre.
Despite more than 3,000 hits and five gold gloves, the former Ranger third baseman remains humble.
”I’m honored, I’m humbled, because I don’t see myself like those guys," said Beltre. "I don’t really belong. I’m glad people recognize what I did and thought I was worthy."
Former teammates showed up to support him and talk about why he belongs.
“He’s such an intelligent player," said Michael Young, former Rangers infielder. "One of the smartest players I’ve ever played with."
Former Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus, who formed a special bond with Beltre, also showed up at a news conference held by the Rangers on Wednesday afternoon.
”We tried to maintain this relationship, a nice bromance,” said Andrus.
Andrus says he knew Beltre was one of the best.
”I played with him for eight years, I knew back then he was going to be in the Hall of Fame,” said Andrus.
And former Rangers short stop and Hall of Famer Pudge Rodriguez welcomed Beltre into the Hall.
”I told him to enjoy everything," said Rodriguez. "It’s a dream come true. He thinks he doesn’t belong but he does and he will be in Cooperstown for life."
Beltre says he never thought he would be here. He says he played for the love the game.
”I loved the game, I love baseball and that’s all I wanted to do since I was kid,” Beltre said.
