Carlos Beltran and Andruw Jones, two center fielders known for their hitting and fielding, were elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on Tuesday. The Baseball Writers' Association of America cast 425 ballots, and both players cleared the 75% mark needed for entry. Beltran got 358 votes, or 84.2%, on his fourth try. Jones received 333 votes, or 78.4%, in his ninth year on the ballot. They will join second baseman Jeff Kent, elected last month by a committee, for the induction ceremony in Cooperstown, New York, on July 26.
Background
Baseball's Hall of Fame honors the best players in the sport's history. Voters from the writers' group decide each year for recent retirees. A player needs 75% of the votes to get in. The ballot lasts up to 10 years. Beltran and Jones both played center field, a key spot that demands speed, power, and strong defense.
Beltran started his career with the Kansas City Royals in 1998. He won Rookie of the Year that season. Over 20 years, he played for seven teams: Royals, New York Mets, San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, and Houston Astros. He hit .279 with 435 home runs and 1,587 runs batted in. He stole 312 bases and scored 1,582 runs. His on-base plus slugging percentage stood at .836, above average for his time.
Jones broke in with the Atlanta Braves in 1996 at age 19. He played 17 seasons with the Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, Rangers, Chicago White Sox, and Yankees. He batted .254 with 434 home runs and 1,289 RBIs. He had 152 steals and 1,204 runs scored. His strength showed in the outfield, where he won 10 Gold Gloves.
Both men were born in 1977, just a day apart. Their paths crossed in voting too. Beltran started on the ballot in 2023 with 46.5%. He climbed to 57.1% in 2024 and 70.3% last year, missing by 19 votes. Jones got 7.3% in 2018. He reached 58.1% in 2023, then 61.6% and 66.2% last year.
Beltran's case faced questions over his role in the Houston Astros' 2017 sign-stealing issue. That slowed his rise. Jones dealt with a sharp drop in production late in his career and a personal issue after retiring.
"This is the greatest honor a baseball player can receive," Beltran said after learning the news. "I'm grateful to the writers who saw my full career."
Key Details
Beltran's Career Highlights
Beltran made nine All-Star teams. He earned three Gold Gloves and two Silver Sluggers. In 2006 with the Mets, he hit 41 home runs and drove in 116 runs. That year, he finished fourth in MVP voting. Postseason play suited him best. In 65 playoff games, he hit .307 with 16 home runs and 42 RBIs. He walked often, with a .412 on-base percentage there.
His totals rank high. He has the 62nd most hits at 2,725. His 1,587 RBIs put him 41st. He sits 25th in extra-base hits. Only four others have 400 home runs and 300 steals: Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, Willie Mays, and Andre Dawson. Beltran also won the Roberto Clemente Award for character and community work.
His value shows in wins above replacement, a stat that measures total contribution. At 70.0, he ranks eighth among center fielders, behind legends like Mays and Mantle.
Jones's Defensive Mastery
Jones led the National League in home runs and RBIs in 2005 with 51 homers. He finished second in MVP voting that year. Offense helped, but defense defined him. He won 10 straight Gold Gloves from 1998 to 2007. Stats credit him as the top defensive outfielder ever. His defensive WAR ranks first among outfielders and 22nd overall.
In Atlanta's run to the 1996 World Series, the 19-year-old Jones caught a key fly ball in Game 1. He homered in Games 1 and 2. That marked the start of a strong Braves tenure.
Other players on the ballot fell short. Chase Utley got 59.1%. No one else reached 75%. Manny Ramirez, in his last year, left the ballot. Players under 5% also dropped off.
What This Means
Beltran and Jones join Kent for a three-player class. The ceremony draws thousands to Cooperstown each summer. It celebrates careers and lets fans hear speeches from the new members. Induction Weekend runs July 24-27. Other honors go to broadcaster Joe Buck and writer Paul Hoynes.
Their elections show voters now weigh full careers over single issues. Beltran's scandal link faded as years passed. Jones's defense carried him past late struggles. Both center fielders fill a gap. The last pure center fielder elected by writers was Ichiro Suzuki, a year ago.
Fans remember Beltran for clutch playoff hits and smooth swings from both sides of the plate. Jones stands out for robbing home runs at the wall. Their plaques will list stats, teams, and awards. Future voters may look back at this class as a nod to defensive stars.
The Hall grows by three. It now honors over 340 players. Debates continue over who belongs. Next year's ballot brings new names. For now, Beltran and Jones take their place among the immortals.
This adds to center field greats like Griffey, Mays, and Speaker. Younger fans see Trout climbing those ranks, but he waits years away from eligibility. The vote reflects baseball's blend of bat, glove, and grit.
