Adrián Beltré Parents: Meet Bienvenido Beltré, Andrea Pérez

Adrián Beltré Pérez, celebrated Dominican former professional baseball third baseman, owes much of his success on the diamond to the unwavering support and guidance of his parents, Bienvenido Beltré and Andrea Pérez.

Their influence and belief in their son’s potential played a pivotal role in shaping the destiny of one of the greatest third basemen in baseball history.

Bienvenido, known by the affectionate nickname “El Negrito” due to his dark and handsome appearance, was not only a devoted father but also an industrial mechanic with a unique passion for cockfighting.

The Beltré family home in the Café de Herrera neighborhood of Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, was a hub of love and support, where Adrián’s journey in baseball began.

Even before Adrián’s birth on April 7, 1979, Bienvenido sensed something extraordinary. Legend has it that he confided in his friend, Dominican baseball legend Felipe Alou, predicting that his pregnant wife would give birth to a great ballplayer.

As an industrial mechanic and a professional baseball player, Bienvenido had a dual role that left a profound impact on young Adrián. He would take his son to baseball fields, instilling in him a love for the sport.

Adrián recalls, “He was a big influence on my life.” Even in the world of cockfighting, Bienvenido’s passion, Adrián found a connection to his father’s interests.

Despite being a scrawny youngster, Adrián shared his father’s love for baseball. Creativity became their ally, as they found ways to enjoy the game with minimal equipment. “We were very creative,” Adrián reminisces. “We find a way to keep ourselves entertained and make baseball out of anything – a sock, a tennis ball, anything we have to create a baseball game.”

The turning point in Adrián’s baseball journey came when his father introduced him to Franklin Rodríguez, who operated a baseball school on the grounds of the Hogar Escuela Santo Domingo Savio.

In 1994, while working out at Campo Las Palmas, a Los Angeles Dodgers facility in the Dominican Republic, Beltré’s talent caught the eye of scouts Ralph Avila and Pablo Peguero. Despite being only 15 years old and weighing 130 pounds, Beltré’s quick swing and live throwing arm impressed the scouts.

The Dodgers, persuaded by Avila and Peguero, signed him in July 1994 with a $23,000 signing bonus. The rest is history as Beltré went on to become one of the greatest third basemen in baseball, leaving an indelible mark on the sport.