In Texas, we believe in tipping our hats to those who’ve earned it. And few have earned recognition more than Elvis Andrus, the boyish shortstop with the megawatt smile and veteran grit who spent 12 seasons anchoring the infield for the Texas Rangers. On Saturday, June 28, just before the first pitch against the Seattle Mariners, Andrus will step back onto the field at Globe Life — not as a player, but as a legend. The Rangers will officially induct him as the 27th member of the Texas Rangers Baseball Hall of Fame.
For Rangers fans, it’s more than just a ceremony. It’s a full-circle moment. Andrus arrived in Arlington as a 20-year-old rookie in 2009 — wide-eyed, raw, and full of promise. By the time he departed over a decade later, he had become the face of the franchise’s most competitive era, a clubhouse leader and fan favorite who seemed to play with a permanent grin and a glove like Velcro.
His numbers speak for themselves. He started more games at a single position than any player in team history —1,628 of them at shortstop. He played in at least 145 games in ten of his twelve seasons as a Ranger, including nine straight to start his career. He stole more bases than any Ranger ever had (305), with a knack for dramatic flourishes — seven of those swipes came at home plate. In nearly every offensive category, he ranks near the top of the club’s all-time list: second in games played, at-bats, triples, and sacrifice hits; third in runs and hits; fifth in doubles, total bases, and multi-hit games.
But Andrus was more than his stats. He was the spark plug in a lineup that reached the postseason five times, including back-to-back World Series runs in 2010 and 2011. He brought energy, consistency, and an unmistakable swagger to a team that finally made good on its potential. His leadership, especially in his later years, made him a cornerstone in the clubhouse — even as the roster evolved around him.
On Saturday, his contributions will be recognized during a pregame induction ceremony at Globe Life Field, where former teammates like Adrian Beltré and Michael Young will join the celebration. Longtime broadcaster Matt Hicks will serve as master of ceremonies, and fans attending the game are encouraged to arrive early for what promises to be an emotional tribute. The first 15,000 fans age 18 and up will receive an Elvis Andrus Retirement Bobblehead, courtesy of Choctaw Casinos & Resorts.
Inside the stadium, the recognition doesn’t stop there. The Rangers Archives Vault will debut a special Andrus exhibit presented by Choctaw, featuring career highlights and memorabilia that trace his rise from rookie to franchise cornerstone.
He leaves behind a career stat line that spans 2,059 games, with 1,943 hits, 102 home runs, and 347 steals across his time with Texas, Oakland, and the Chicago White Sox. But it’s what he gave to Texas — game after game, season after season — that cements his place in Ranger’s lore.