ARLINGTON, Texas _ Adrian Beltre was in disbelief. When the Rangers season ended late Sunday night in Toronto, the undisputed leader of the clubhouse wasn't ready to go home.
"I didn't think we were going to lose," said Beltre, 37. "I believed in my heart had we won that game we had a really good chance (to win the ALDS). It was hard to see how it ended. I couldn't comprehend how it happened. We did not expect to be out in three."
For Beltre, the abrupt end to the season comes especially hard. Although he enjoyed another excellent individual season, including hitting .300 and leading the team with 104 RBIs, the chances to obtain his first ever World Series title are dwindling.
"My window is closing more than other guys. For me it's more difficult," he said. "We still believe we have a good team here to do it next year and the next couple of years. We know it will never be easy."
Beltre, who will play his 20th season in the big leagues in 2017, took the blame for the team's offensive struggles. He went 2 for 11 with no RBIs in the Blue Jays' 3-0 sweep.
The Rangers had the best record in the American League and expected to be playing in the World Series. To see that opportunity slip away is especially tough.
"It hurts more because you do believe you can do it and you know you have the pieces to do it," he said. "And to not do it is obviously more painful and you see the window closing. I don't have 10 more years. Maybe one, two, maybe three. I know this is something I've wanted so bad and I don't want to go home (retire) without it."
Beltre said he'll continue to play as long as he's producing and that the team has a chance to win the World Series.
"It's hard to swallow because it's what drives me," he said. "It will make it a lot easier for me to go home knowing I accomplished everything in my career that I wanted to if I win the World Series."
