Top 25 MLB stories of 2017

Top 25 MLB stories of 2017, from Aaron Judge to Houston Strong

HOUSTON, TX - NOVEMBER 03: Marwin Gonzalez #9 of the Houston Astros and Alex Bregman #2 hold the World Series Trophy during the Houston Astros Victory Parade on November 3, 2017 in Houston, Texas. The Astros defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1 in Game 7 to win the 2017 World Series. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

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ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 8:Adrian Beltre #29 of the Texas Rangers tips his hat during a ceremony celebrating Beltre’s 3000th hit before the New York Yankees played the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington on September 8, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) /

15. Adrian Beltre is Mr. 3000

Long considered one of the best all-around third basemen in the game (and an all-around good guy), Texas Rangers star Adrian Beltre put himself over the top and into the Hall of Fame by becoming the 31st member of the 3,000-hit club with a double against the Baltimore Orioles on July 30. Beltre had already had a stellar career, winning five Gold Gloves, four Silver Sluggers and making four All-Star teams, but this was the icing on the cake.

If he is able to hang on for two more healthy seasons, the 38-year-old Beltre has a shot at joining Hank Aaron, Eddie Murray, Alex Rodriguez and Rafael Palmeiro as the only players with 3,000 hits and 500 home runs. He currently stands at 462 home runs entering the 2018 season and hit 17 last year in 94 games.

Beltre’s career has been a three-act play. He made his debut in 1998 for the Los Angeles Dodgers at the age of 19. Beltre was good, but hardly looked like a future Hall of Famer in his first six seasons in the major leagues. In his walk year, he exploded for 48 home runs and 121 RBI and cashed in with the Seattle Mariners. That contract would prove to be a massive disappointment. Beltre played five years for Seattle and hit only .266/.317/.442 and did not make an All-Star team.

After flaming out with the Mariners, Beltre played a single season in Boston, re-established himself as a star and moved on to Texas, where he has been the heart and soul of the franchise for seven seasons. He will go into the Hall of Fame as a Texas Ranger and is their most beloved star since the great Nolan Ryan.

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