Last week, numerous former teammates of Adrián Beltré from the Texas Rangers gathered at Globe Life Field to accompany him during his Baseball Hall of Fame press conference. In the clubhouse, over a dozen of them assembled for a group photo to celebrate the occasion. However, the joy for Beltré extended beyond his Rangers days, as one of his former Boston Red Sox teammates expressed gratitude for his Hall of Fame election. Jon Lester, who briefly played alongside Beltré in 2010 during their time in Boston, commended Beltré’s induction into the Hall of Fame during an interview at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions golf tournament, as reported by USA Today.
Lester, who spent nearly a decade with the Red Sox, recalled their shared season in 2010, highlighting their individual achievements. Lester posted a notable record of 19-9 with a 3.25 ERA, securing second place in the American League Cy Young voting. Meanwhile, Beltré boasted impressive stats, batting .321 with 28 home runs, 102 RBIs, and leading the Majors with 49 doubles. Both players earned spots in the All-Star Game, with Beltré also clinching a Silver Slugger and finishing ninth in the AL Most Valuable Player voting.
During the interview, Lester praised Beltré not only for his on-field accomplishments but also for his exceptional character. Lester emphasized Beltré’s resilience, recalling a specific instance in 2010 when Beltré played through hamstring issues. Despite tearing his hamstring, Beltré persevered and continued to contribute to the team.
Lester expressed admiration for Beltré’s unwavering commitment, describing him as an incredible human being and teammate. He highlighted Beltré’s ability to play through pain and praised his dedication to the game. Beltré’s election to the Hall of Fame was announced on Tuesday, and he is set to be inducted on July 21 in Cooperstown, N.Y. As for Lester, he concluded his 16-year career with a 200-117 record and a 3.66 ERA, earning five All-Star Game selections and three World Series rings. His final appearances were with the Washington Nationals and St. Louis Cardinals in 2021.
