Adrian Beltre calls it a career

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Adrian Beltre had a sometimes-imposing stare and plenty of quirky habits. He also had a genuine love for the game, and a lot of fun in a Hall of Famecaliber career.

After 21 big-league seasons in which Beltre hit 477 home runs and became the first player from the Dominican Republic to have 3,000 hits, the slick-fielding third baseman for the Texas Rangers retired Tuesday at age 39.

“After careful consideration and many sleepless nights, I have made the decision to retire from what I’ve been doing my whole life, which is playing baseball, the game I love,” Beltre said in a statement. “I have thought about it a lot and although I appreciate all the opportunities and everything that baseball has given me, it’s time to call it a career.”

Beltre, who will be eligible for the Hall of Fame ballot in five years, was a .286 hitter with 1,707 RBI in 2,933 career games. His 3,166 hits rank 16th on the career list, with his homers total 30th and RBI 24th. He played 2,759 games at third base only Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson had more.

MATHIS, RANGER AGREE >> Catcher Jeff Mathis and the Texas Rangers have finalized a $6.25 million, two-year contract.

He gets $3.25 million next year and $3 million in 2020 under the deal announced Tuesday.

The 35-year-old is among baseball’s top defensive catchers. He spent the last two years with Arizona and hit .200 this season with one homer and 20 RBI in 69 games.

He threw out 18 of 53 runners attempting to steal this year, and his 17 defensive runs saved were five more than any other catcher. SUZUKI RETURNS TO NATIONALS>> Even after his last trip to free agency dragged into January, Kurt Suzuki wanted to go the open market again.

This time, the catcher found a home much quicker.

Suzuki on Tuesday finalized a $10 million, two-year contract to return to the Washington Nationals. The 35-yearold gets $4 million next year and $6 million in 2020, up from $3.5 million last season, his second with the Atlanta Braves.

College basketball

TOP RECRUIT CHOOSE MEMPHIS >> James Wiseman has chosen Memphis and his former high school coach, Penny Hardaway, over Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Kansas and Florida State.

Wiseman announced his decision Tuesday on ESPN.

The 7-foot center is the No. 1 recruit in the nation for the 2019 class according to a composite ranking of recruiting sites compiled by 247Sports. Wiseman made his announcement after making an official visit to all five of his final options.

Wiseman averaged 17 points and nine rebounds last season helping East High and Hardaway win Tennessee’s Class AAA championship. Hardaway was hired by Memphis to take over at his alma mater soon after that title game, and the former NBA star also coached Wiseman on the AAU level with Team Penny.

College football

MIAMI TOPS BALL STATE >> The Miami RedHawks outscored Ball State, 21-0 in the second half to run away with a 42-21 win on Nov. 20.

Alonzo Smith ran for 207 yards and three touchdowns for Miami. Gus Ragland threw for 159 yards and a score for the RedHawks (6-6).