Carlos Beltrán is officially headed to Cooperstown. The former switch-hitting star, who thrilled fans with his rare blend of power, speed, and defensive brilliance, was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame on his fourth try, earning 84.2% of the vote from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. He’ll be joined in the 2026 class by Andruw Jones, another elite outfielder who finally cleared the 75% threshold in his ninth year on the ballot.
For Royals fans, Beltrán’s election is a reminder of the electric talent that once patrolled center field at Kauffman Stadium. He broke into the league with Kansas City and wasted no time making an impact, winning Rookie of the Year in 1999. That season, he became just the eighth rookie in MLB history to post 100 runs and 100 RBIs-a sign of the all-around force he was about to become.
Beltrán’s career spanned two decades and included stops with the Astros, Mets, Giants, Cardinals, Yankees, and Rangers. He wrapped up his playing days back in Houston, where he won a World Series in 2017.
Over 20 seasons, he racked up 2,725 hits, 435 home runs, and 312 stolen bases, finishing with a .279/.350/.486 slash line and 70.1 rWAR. He was selected to nine All-Star Games, won three Gold Gloves, and took home two Silver Sluggers.
Beltrán wasn’t just a stat-sheet stuffer-he was widely respected across the league for his leadership and professionalism.
His path to the Hall wasn’t without complications. His involvement in the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal likely delayed his induction, but the voters ultimately recognized the totality of his career-one marked by consistent excellence and postseason heroics.
Speaking of October, Beltrán’s playoff résumé is as memorable as it is bittersweet. His 2004 postseason with the Astros was legendary-eight home runs in 12 games-but many remember him for striking out looking to end the 2006 NLCS with the Mets. Still, he was a major contributor on multiple playoff teams, including the 2013 Cardinals squad that reached the World Series and the 2017 Astros team that won it all.
As for which cap Beltrán will wear on his Hall of Fame plaque, that remains undecided. He split seven seasons apiece between the Royals and Mets, playing 795 games with Kansas City and 839 with New York.
While the Hall makes the final call on cap logos, sometimes players are inducted without one. No matter the decision, both fanbases have plenty of reasons to celebrate.
Joining Beltrán in this year’s class is Andruw Jones, whose Hall case has steadily gained momentum in recent years. Known as one of the greatest defensive center fielders the game has ever seen, Jones earned 10 Gold Gloves during his 17-year career and was a fixture on the dominant Braves teams of the late '90s and early 2000s.
Jones finished with a .254/.337/.486 line, 434 home runs, 1,289 RBIs, and 152 stolen bases, playing for the Braves, Dodgers, Rangers, White Sox, and Yankees. His peak came in 2005, when he led the league with 51 home runs and 128 RBIs, earning a Silver Slugger and finishing second in NL MVP voting. His 24.4 defensive WAR is the highest ever recorded by an outfielder, underscoring just how much ground he covered and how many runs he saved over the years.
While Beltrán and Jones headline the class, several other notable names fell short. Chase Utley continues to gain traction but came in at 59.1% in his second year on the ballot. Manny Ramirez, despite his offensive numbers, was not elected in his 10th and final year, receiving just 38.8% of the vote.
Among first-time candidates, Cole Hamels led the way with 23.8% of the vote, a solid debut for the longtime Phillies ace. Former Royals outfielder Alex Gordon, a fan favorite in Kansas City, received just one vote and will not return to the ballot next year.
Beltrán and Jones will be officially inducted on July 26, alongside Jeff Kent, who was elected by the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee. For both outfielders, it’s a long-awaited and well-deserved honor-one that cements their place among the game’s all-time greats.