Cooperstown is calling for Carlos Beltrán and Andruw Jones. The pair were elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on Tuesday by the Baseball Chroniclers of America, cementing their legacies as baseball icons.
A Dynamic Duo Headed to Cooperstown
Beltrán and Jones will be inducted on July 26, joining second baseman Jeff Kent, who earned election in December by the Contemporary Era Committee.
- Carlos Beltrán, a nine-time All-Star, amassed 435 home runs and 1,587 RBIs over a 20-year career.
- Andruw Jones, a five-time All-Star, was renowned for his exceptional defense, winning 10 Gold Gloves.
- Beltrán’s election came after a steady climb in voting percentage, while Jones saw a significant surge in recent years.
Beltrán, a switch-hitting outfielder known for his power and speed, received 358 of 425 votes (84.2 percent) from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, surpassing the 75 percent threshold needed for induction by 39 votes. Jones secured 333 votes, representing 78.4 percent of the ballots cast.
Beltrán’s Journey to Immortality
Beltrán’s career spanned two decades, beginning with the Kansas City Royals in 1999 and concluding with the Texas Rangers in 2016. He also played for the Houston Astros (2004, 2017), New York Mets (2005-2011), San Francisco Giants (2011), St. Louis Cardinals (2012-2013), and New York Yankees (2014-2016). He was named the American League Rookie of the Year in 1999 and earned three Gold Glove awards for his defensive prowess. A consistent threat on the basepaths, Beltrán stole 312 bases in 361 attempts.
His postseason performance was equally impressive, boasting a .307 batting average with 16 home runs and 42 RBIs in 65 games. However, Beltrán’s managerial career with the Mets was short-lived. Hired on November 1, 2019, he was dismissed on January 16, 2020, without managing a single game, following his identification in an MLB report concerning the Houston Astros’ sign-stealing scandal during their 2017 World Series victory.
Beltrán’s vote percentage steadily increased over time, from 46.5 percent in 2023 to 57.1 percent the following year, and then to 70.3 percent in 2025, falling just 19 votes short of election alongside Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia, and Billy Wagner.
Jones’ Defensive Brilliance and Power
Andruw Jones established himself as one of the game’s premier defensive center fielders, winning an astounding 10 Gold Gloves – second only to Willie Mays’ 12. His defensive range and ability to make spectacular catches were legendary. Over 17 seasons with the Atlanta Braves (1996-2007), Los Angeles Dodgers (2008), Texas Rangers (2009), Chicago White Sox (2010), and New York Yankees (2011-2012), Jones compiled a .254 batting average with 434 home runs, 1,289 RBIs, and 152 stolen bases.
In 2005, Jones led the majors with 51 home runs and the National League with 128 RBIs, finishing second in the MVP voting behind Albert Pujols. He concluded his career with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of the Japanese Pacific League in 2013 and 2014.
Interestingly, Jones’ batting average is the second-lowest among position players elected to the Hall of Fame, exceeding only Ray Schalk (.253) and falling just below Harmon Killebrew (.256), who hit 573 home runs.
Jones’ path to Cooperstown wasn’t immediate. He received only 7.3 percent of the vote in his first appearance on the ballot in 2018 and didn’t reach 50 percent until 2023, when he garnered 58.1 percent. His support continued to grow, reaching 61.6 percent and 66.2 percent before finally crossing the threshold this year, missing by 35 votes last year.
In a historic moment, Jones became the youngest player to hit a home run in the World Series, achieving this feat at 19 years and five months in Game 1 of the 1996 World Series at Yankee Stadium, surpassing Mickey Mantle’s record by 18 months.
