Former Texas Ranger Elvis Andrus
Elvis Andrus Set for Texas Rangers Hall of Fame Induction
The Texas Rangers will honor one of the franchise’s all-time greats this summer, as longtime shortstop Elvis Andrus is set to be inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame. Andrus, who played 12 seasons in Texas, will receive the honor in a ceremony on Saturday, June 28, before the Rangers take on the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.
A Surprise from a Legendary Teammate
The Rangers held a press conference Monday to celebrate Andrus’s induction, where the 35-year-old was greeted by a surprise guest: his former teammate and mentor, Adrian Beltre. The Hall of Famer, who was inducted in 2021, joined the Zoom call to congratulate Andrus on the achievement.
“It’s an honor for me to have you in this group,” Beltre told Andrus. “You were such an inspiration for me—the way you played the game, having fun, playing all those games, the way you lifted our team, our ball club. For me and for other guys, I can speak for them too, it was a pleasure having you, so seriously, congratulations.”
Andrus, visibly touched by Beltre’s words, expressed his appreciation and reflected on what the moment meant to him.
“It is an honor. I did not expect this,” Andrus said. “Being in the Hall of Fame with you, alongside the rest of the list, is just a blessing. I can’t wait for that day, to be able to see you all on the field and share that moment, especially with you, brother. You are probably the main reason I’m in the Hall of Fame.”
A Career Etched in Rangers History
From 2009 to 2020, Andrus played 1,652 games for Texas, the second-most in franchise history behind Michael Young. His name is all over the Rangers’ record books, ranking first in stolen bases (305), third in runs scored (895) and hits (1,745), and seventh in RBIs (636).
His impact extended beyond the regular season, playing a crucial role in the Rangers’ 2011 American League pennant-winning run. Andrus holds several franchise postseason records, including most hits (46), games played (42), and stolen bases (9) in playoff history.
Joining an Elite Group
Andrus becomes the fifth member of the Rangers’ 2011 team to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame, joining Beltre, Michael Young, Ian Kinsler, and Josh Hamilton. Reflecting on his journey, Andrus credited those around him for shaping his career.
“You don’t play the game expecting to be in the Hall of Fame. I think that’s kind of like a consequence of your hard work,” Andrus said. “I’ve been so blessed to have such great role models in my career—Adrian is probably the biggest one, but also Michael [Young], Pudge [Rodriguez], Vladimir Guerrero Sr., Ian Kinsler, and so many others. Those guys taught me the right way to do it.”
Though the moment still feels surreal, Andrus acknowledged the significance of his induction. “It’s something I don’t think I will believe even the day I’m in the ballpark getting inducted.”
A Journey That Nearly Took a Different Path
Andrus’s road to Rangers greatness could have taken a different turn. Signed by the Atlanta Braves as a 16-year-old international free agent out of Venezuela, he was one of the top prospects in the organization. Interestingly, he revealed that he nearly signed with the Rangers as an international free agent before ultimately choosing Atlanta.
Texas eventually acquired him in a blockbuster 2007 trade that sent Mark Teixeira and Ron Mahay to the Braves in exchange for Andrus, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, and a group of young pitchers, including future All-Star closer Neftali Feliz. The move set the foundation for Texas’s rise to prominence in the early 2010s.
With only Derek Jeter and Jimmy Rollins having played more games at shortstop in MLB history, Andrus’s longevity and contributions to the Rangers cement his legacy. On June 28, he will take his rightful place among the franchise’s greats, ensuring that his impact on Texas baseball will be remembered for generations to come.
