Hall of Famer Beltre to S. Korean minor leaguers: 'Sacrifice now for future'

INCHEON, June 11 (Yonhap) -- After playing for 21 years in Major League Baseball (MLB) in his Hall of Fame career, Adrian Beltre knows a few things about longevity and sustaining success.

In his address to South Korean minor league players Wednesday, Beltre's message was straightforward: sacrifice the present for the future.

"If you make your sacrifices today and endure difficult moments with your mental fortitude, then you can have a better career," Beltre told the Futures League players for the Korea Baseball Organization club SSG Landers in their training facility in the western border island of Ganghwa, Incheon. The Dominican Republic native spoke through a Spanish interpreter.

"I've seen many talented players who didn't realize their full potential and didn't last long in the big leagues," Beltre added.

Beltre, a four-time All-Star who was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2024, was in South Korea, along with former All-Star pitcher Cole Hamels, on invitation from their former Texas Rangers teammate Choo Shin-soo.

Choo, after 16 MLB seasons, played for the Landers from 2021 to 2024 to wrap up his career and then became an adviser to the team's owner before this season. Choo, who also oversees the Landers' player development, said he wanted to provide Futures Leaguers with some inspiration through the words of the former big leaguers. In addition to speaking to the players, Beltre and Hamels were also to give on-field instructions during their visit.

Beltre, who had 477 home runs and 1,707 RBIs in 2,933 games with four teams, said managers and coaches will know a desperate and hungry player when they see one.

"From my very first big-league at-bat to my last one, I always thought, 'If I do my best today, I can be even better tomorrow,'" Beltre said. "I always felt that hunger and thirst for the game of baseball."

A five-time Gold Glove winner who also grabbed two Platinum Gloves as the best defensive player in MLB, the former third baseman said he was able to fight temptations throughout his career with his drive and determination.

"You have to have a clear sense of direction without getting distracted," he said. "We all love baseball and playing the game is our job. We have to have a sense of responsibility. Urgency never hurt. I faced some challenges but I overcame them with positive thinking."

Beltre also touched upon the importance of communication in the clubhouse.

"If I were the leader of this team, I would tell you that you should share what you have with your teammates and that you shouldn't be afraid of giving advice," he said. "If you want to learn something, reach out to your teammates. Communicating that way will only help the team and the individual players better."

In a rare lighthearted moment of his session, Beltre laughed and recalled that South Korean pitcher Kim Byung-hyun was the biggest thorn in his side during his career.

Kim, who had a submarine delivery rare in MLB in his days, pitched for the Arizona Diamondbacks from 1999 to 2003, while Beltre was with their National League West rivals, Los Angeles Dodgers, from 1998 to 2004.

Beltre batted just 1-for-16 with eight strikeouts against Kim.

"He was the pitcher I hated the most. I never found a way to attack a submarine pitcher who could throw 95 miles per hour," Beltre said with a smile. "When he lost some velocity, I finally got a hit off him and I celebrated that moment."

jeeho@yna.co.kr
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