In Cooperstown on Tuesday, two of the game’s most dynamic centerfielders officially took their place among baseball’s immortals. Carlos Beltran and Andruw Jones were inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2026 - and in doing so, they made a bit of history.
Their enshrinement marks the first time since 1981 that multiple centerfielders have been inducted in the same class. And in the decades since, only two others at the position have received the game's highest honor: Ken Griffey Jr. in 2016 and Kirby Puckett in 2001. That’s elite company - and now Beltran and Jones join the ranks.
Let’s start with Beltran, whose career spanned two decades and eight teams, but was defined by consistent excellence and postseason pedigree. From 1998 to 2017, Beltran racked up 2,725 hits, 435 home runs, and 1,587 RBIs, while batting .279 over his career. He brought a rare blend of power, speed, and defense to centerfield - a five-tool player who could change the game in any number of ways.
Beltran’s most notable stints came with the Royals, Mets, and Astros, where he not only produced big numbers but delivered in big moments. His 2004 postseason run with Houston remains one of the most electrifying October performances in recent memory. And while his career wasn’t without its controversies, his Hall of Fame credentials were never in doubt for those who watched him dominate for years.
One of those people? Albert Pujols, a close friend and fellow generational talent, who reportedly expressed relief and joy at Beltran’s long-awaited induction. It’s a moment that clearly resonated beyond just the numbers.
Then there’s Andruw Jones - a defensive wizard whose glove in centerfield was, for over a decade, the gold standard. Jones broke into the league with the Atlanta Braves in 1996 and quickly made a name for himself with jaw-dropping range and instincts that seemed almost supernatural. But he wasn’t just a defensive specialist - Jones could mash, too.
By the time he wrapped up his career in 2013, Jones had compiled 434 home runs, 1,289 RBIs, and 1,933 hits, along with a .254 career batting average. He spent the bulk of his career in Atlanta before making stops with the Rangers, Dodgers, White Sox, and Yankees. While his offensive numbers dipped in the latter part of his career, his peak years - especially from 1998 to 2006 - were nothing short of elite.
Jones’ Hall of Fame case was always going to hinge on how voters valued defense. And now, with his plaque in Cooperstown, it’s clear they recognized just how dominant he was roaming centerfield at Turner Field.
With Beltran and Jones now enshrined, the Hall of Fame’s centerfield fraternity grows to 26 members. That list reads like a who's who of baseball royalty: Ty Cobb, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Duke Snider, Larry Doby, Cool Papa Bell - legends from every era, from the early days of the game through the Negro Leagues and into the modern age.
Griffey and Puckett were the most recent centerfielders to earn induction before this year’s class. Griffey, of course, was the smooth-swinging icon who launched 630 home runs and put Seattle baseball on the map.
He spent most of his career with the Mariners, but also had memorable stretches with the Reds and White Sox. With a .284 lifetime average and nearly 2,800 hits, Griffey was a first-ballot lock when he entered the Hall in 2016.
Puckett, meanwhile, was the heart and soul of the Minnesota Twins from 1984 to 1995. He helped deliver two World Series titles to the Twin Cities in ’87 and ’91, while also collecting six Gold Gloves and six Silver Sluggers.
His .318 career average and 2,304 hits speak to his consistency at the plate, but it was his leadership and clutch performances that truly defined his career. Puckett was inducted in 2001, just six years after his playing days were cut short due to vision issues.
Now, Beltran and Jones join that exclusive club - not just as great players, but as centerfielders who defined eras. Their styles were different: Beltran was smooth and surgical, a switch-hitting technician who could glide around the bases and track down fly balls with ease. Jones was explosive, a power-hitting, ball-hawking force who turned defense into an art form.
But both left indelible marks on the game. And now, fittingly, they’ll be remembered forever in Cooperstown.