ARLINGTON -- Sometimes people are put in the exact right place at the perfect time. That’s what Elvis Andrus meant to the Texas Rangers when he was called up to join the big league club in 2009 at just 20 years old. It’s part of what makes Andrus’ induction into the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame on Saturday so special. “I think at that point, after 2008, we'd had about four years of just very .500ish play,” said Andrus’ former teammate Michael Young. “Maybe a little bit below, maybe a little bit above here and there, but it wasn't anywhere near being ready to really put a dent in our division. There were some guys who were -- frustrated isn't the right word -- but we were really looking for some different answers. “We had a talented group. We just weren't a complete team. We didn't know at the time, but some little bit of jolt enthusiasm was something that we really needed. It was great for our organization. I think that we needed it. He was the perfect person at the perfect time. I think because he was a rookie, and he was a young rookie, we kind of held in how much we appreciated it, at least initially. Eventually, we kind of let the cat out of the bag.” |
At Saturday’s induction ceremony, Young and Adrian Beltré joined Andrus on the field at Globe Life Field pregame to reminisce about their time together. Many of the stories Beltré wanted to tell about Andrus were not suitable for work, he joked to the media. But there’s no doubt how much this meant to all of them. “He definitely meant a lot to me,” Beltré said. “He made me a better ballplayer. Things that I was probably lacking early in my career, I got to play with him and he injected some of the things that I needed. For that I will always be thankful to him. I took the game seriously. But he helped me kind of sometimes forget about being so serious and just playing the game and enjoying it. When I started playing with him, he brought that back out and helped me be able to enjoy the game.” Members of the Texas Rangers Baseball Hall of Fame in attendance on Saturday included Charlie Hough (Class of 2003), Buddy Bell (2004), Ferguson Jenkins (2004), Tom Grieve (2010), Eric Nadel (2012), Ivan Rodriguez (2013), Tom Schieffer (2014), Jeff Russell (2015), Richard Greene (2019), Chuck Morgan (2021), John Blake (2022) and Victor Vandergriff (son of Tom, 2004). |
Other former Rangers in attendance were Craig Gentry, Matt Harrison, Derek Holland, Colby Lewis, Mitch Moreland and Darren Oliver, all of whom were teammates with Andrus. Video board messages arrived from those who couldn’t make the ceremony, including Nelson Cruz, David Murphy, Robinson Chirinos, Ian Kinsler and Ron Washington. It was a celebration for one of the most beloved figures in franchise history. “Yesterday and today was a good time for me to talk a little bit more privately and get Buddy and Fergie and the older guys,” Andrus said. “They were hilarious. It was a good way to go back in the history of this beautiful franchise and have fun with them. If we played together, we would’ve had fun, no matter if it was 1980 or 2000. So baseball is baseball. It's beautiful to gather, you know, the past, the present and the future.” Andrus’ induction was dominated by illustrations of his love for the game and his antics on the field. But that’s not to discredit all that he brought to this organization as one of the key players in the most successful stretch of franchise history to that point. |
Andrus was signed by the Braves out of Venezuela at 16 years old, but was acquired by the Rangers at the 2007 Trade Deadline in a deal that sent Mark Teixeira and Ron Mahay to Atlanta. Every front office hopes to come out well when trading away a player of Teixeira’s caliber. It couldn’t have been any better for the Rangers. Andrus started more games at one position -- shortstop -- than any player in franchise history. He retired as a Ranger on Sept. 6, 2024, after spending 15 seasons in the big leagues with Texas (2009-'20), the A's ('21-'22) and the White Sox ('22-'23). He posted a career .269/.325/.370 (.695 OPS) slash line with 102 home runs, 775 RBIs, and 347 stolen bases in 2,059 games. In the 21st century, Andrus’ 1,966 games at shortstop are third most in MLB behind Jimmy Rollins (2,228) and Derek Jeter (2,037). |
As an exciting young player, Andrus finished second in American League Rookie of the Year voting in 2009. He was an All-Star in 2010 at age 21 and again in 2012 at 23. He helped the Rangers to a pair of AL pennants in 2010-11. In his 12 seasons with the Rangers, Andrus slashed .274/.330/.372. He is the all-time franchise leader in stolen bases with 305, 133 more than any other player. He also has a club record seven steals of home. Andrus ranks second in club history in total games (1,652), at-bats (6,366) and triples (48). He ranks among the Rangers' lifetime leaders in runs (3rd, 893), hits (3rd, 1,743), doubles (5th, 303), total bases (5th, 2,370), multihit games (5th, 451), walks (7th, 516) and RBIs (8th, 636). “It’s just been surreal,” Andrus said. “Even Adrian, when we unveiled the plaque, and he said, ‘Oh, they wrote a lot of things for you,’ which was funny. I still feel so young. So seeing these responses and the beautiful gestures from the organization to me and my family, man I’m so grateful. My heart is full of gratitude. It’s an overwhelming feeling. It’s hard to explain. I’m so honored to be part of this amazing group.” |
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Prior to Friday’s game, the Rangers honored two longtime members of the club’s Hall of Fame when Hough (class of 2003) and Bell (class of 2004) were presented with their Hall of Fame jackets in a pregame ceremony. The Rangers began awarding the navy HOF jackets in 2021 and have been making presentations to earlier inductees over the last several years. Hough is the Rangers’ all-time leader in wins, innings and strikeouts during his time with the club from 1980-90. Bell was a four-time All-Star and six-time Gold Glove Award winner at third base from 1979-85. The two also participated in the first pitch ceremony pregame. |
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After Hall of Famer weekend, the Rangers’ homestand will conclude with a three-game set against the Orioles from June 30-July 2. Here’s what fans can look forward to: June 30 - Theme Night: Dallas Stars Night (SOLD OUT) – Theme Night tickets purchased through this offer will come with a co-branded Dallas Stars / Texas Rangers City Connect hockey sweater.
July 1 - Promotional Giveaway: Jacob deGrom Replica Jersey, presented by UT Dallas (First 20,000 fans)
- Theme Night: Jujutsu Kaisen Night (SOLD OUT) – Fans who purchase a Theme Night ticket will receive a unique co-branded Jujutsu Kaisen-Texas Rangers jersey. Items will be available for pickup beginning when gates open until the conclusion of the third inning.
July 2 - Theme Night: All Elite Wrestling Night – Fans who purchase a Theme Night ticket will receive a co-branded AEW-2023 World Series Championship Wrestling Belt. Fans can also visit the AEW table on the suite level near the Southeast Entrance for exclusive giveaways and a meet & greet with AEW star and wrestling legend Paul Wight from 5:30-6:30 pm.
- Community Night: University of Texas at Dallas Night – Community night tickets purchased through this offer will come with a co-branded UT Dallas-Texas Rangers hat.
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