MLB WORLD SERIES: DIAMONDBACKS VS RANGERS

October 28, 2023

Adrian Beltre

Globe Life Field

Texas Rangers

Pregame 2 Press Conference

Q. Obviously this is something you had hoped to do as a player, but what's it like to be here with the Rangers and being here to watch them in the World Series?

ADRIÁN BELTRÉ: It's great to be back here in a situation where hopefully we're going to bring back or give the Ranger fans a well-deserved first World Series. Hopefully these guys get it done.

Q. So, you were okay at third base. What do you think of Josh Jung definitely at third?

ADRIÁN BELTRÉ: I think he's doing a terrific job. Third base is not easy to play, especially when it's the first year. And he's handled it very well. The games I've seen, he's playing way better than I thought. He's looking good and it's just been the beginning.

Offensively, what can I say, he had a great offensive year. So that guy is going to be really good.

Q. What has been your impression of watching Adolis Garcia, these playoffs, last night, especially the last few games, specifically?

ADRIÁN BELTRÉ: It's amazing to be able to step up and continue to do what he's doing. I mean, in this situation, in the playoffs, in the World Series, being clutch the way he has been -- 21, 22 RBIs in the postseason is, obviously it's a record now. And the way he's doing it is just amazing.

It's good to see. Hopefully he'll keep it going, and him and Corey and everybody else in that clubhouse take us to the promised land.

Q. Speaking of kids, A.J., are you kind of living your baseball fix through him? And talk about his development and how much fun it's been to watch him grow?

ADRIÁN BELTRÉ: It's been fun. It's been fun. Obviously it was something I was looking for when I decided to retire, because I wanted to be able to see him on a daily basis, work on things that we need to work on, see him develop and see where I can work with things in baseball.

And seeing the way he developed, I'm really proud of him. He has done more than I expected. He put himself in a great position to be able to pick a good school for him, to suit him. He wanted always good academics and good baseball program and he found what he wanted.

I need to support him, but he's done it by himself. I help a little bit but he's done it by himself because -- not because he's my son, and I'm the first one to tell him if he's doing something wrong, but he's a young man that is dedicated. He knows what he wants.

Q. You've always played the game for teammates and I know you always played not for the accolades or awards, but obviously you're eligible for the Hall of Fame ballot this year. Do you put any thought into it? Does it excite you or do anything for you?

ADRIÁN BELTRÉ: I'm not going to lie. The fact that yes, next January, I'm eligible to be on the ballot. But I don't like to think about it. I do sometimes because of the questions you guys ask me and family and because it's normal.

But it's something that I cannot control. So I don't know how I'm going to feel. Pretty much I'm going to be happy, but I don't like to get ahead of things that I can't control. So if it happened, when it happens, I'll see how I'll react and see how I'm going to enjoy it.

Q. What would it mean to see the Rangers win a World Series, especially given how close you guys came in 2011?

ADRIÁN BELTRÉ: It would mean a lot. It would mean a lot because being on that team in 2011 we were so close. And to not to get it done, it stays with you.

Understanding one of the reasons why you came to the Rangers because they believed that I could help and the guys that were coming in that year, we could help to bring the World Series to this town, to this city. And we weren't able to. Pretty close but we didn't get it done.

So I think if we win three more games, now I'm not only going to be thrilled for the fans here in Texas, but I'm going to feel like it's a little weight off of us because we didn't get it done and those guys did it for us. So I'll be super happy about it.

Q. Want to ask how your friends and neighbors are doing back home watching this series where Corey Seager is playing for the Rangers and the team the Dodgers beat by 16 games is on the other side of the field? Are they holding up all right or are they upset?

ADRIÁN BELTRÉ: Want me to tell you the truth? (Laughter). I can't but I was on the Golf Channel, and I won't mention who was there, but it was a Dodgers guy. And he was, what are you going for the World Series? Who do you want to go -- it was right before the World Series, when Texas was playing against Houston, and Philly against Arizona.

So I told him, obviously, I don't want Houston to win. I want the Rangers to win. I go what about you. He goes, maybe the Rangers, but I don't know, but Corey's over there, he left. And then he was, like, and I just want to make him lose like crap. (Laughter)

Long story short, I don't want to get into the details but they're not happy that we're doing good and Corey is here and crushing it.

Q. A guy who plays for the team now or used to? Guy who used to play for the Dodgers now or used to play?

ADRIÁN BELTRÉ: Too much information. (Laughter).

Q. (Following a question and answer in Spanish) you said it's the first time you've had an opportunity to do the first pitch?

ADRIÁN BELTRÉ: Yes, this is the first time.

Q. You watched President Bush last night. And did you get a chance to practice?

ADRIÁN BELTRÉ: Yes, first time ever to throw a first pitch. Honored to be here doing that. I witnessed yesterday the first pitch. I was actually sitting with him.

I'm a little nervous about it, I'm not going to lie. But I haven't practiced yet and I was not nervous until yesterday, my son told me -- which I was fine until yesterday that's when he said -- dad, you haven't played catch in, like, two weeks. I'm like, oh, that's true. (Laughter)

But I'm hoping that I'll be okay. I might warm up a bit before if he has a chance. We'll see how it goes. It should be okay.