Carlos Beltrán, Andruw Jones Earn Hall of Fame Nod; Former Nationals Trio Shut Out
Cooperstown welcomed two new members last night as Carlos Beltrán and Andruw Jones were officially inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Both center fielders left a lasting mark on the game, each in their own unique way - Beltrán with his all-around offensive prowess and postseason heroics, and Jones with a glove that patrolled center field like few others in history.
Jones, a 10-time Gold Glove winner, was the defensive gold standard in center for over a decade. His range, instincts, and ability to make the spectacular look routine set him apart. But it wasn’t just the glove - Jones also mashed 434 home runs, giving him one of the most impressive power-defense combinations we’ve seen at the position.
Beltrán, meanwhile, brought a different kind of balance. He wasn’t quite the defender Jones was, but he more than made up for it with the bat.
A true power-speed threat, Beltrán consistently delivered at the plate and on the basepaths, and he did it for nearly two decades. His Hall of Fame case was complicated by his involvement in the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal, which likely delayed his induction.
But the voters ultimately decided his on-field résumé was too strong to ignore - and they’re right.
While Beltrán and Jones celebrated their long-awaited calls to Cooperstown, it was a quieter night for a trio of former Nationals. Daniel Murphy, Howie Kendrick, and Gio González were all eligible for the first time - and none received a single vote. That’s not entirely surprising, given the high bar for Hall of Fame induction, but it’s still notable that they were the only players on the ballot to be completely shut out.
Especially when you consider that players like Rick Porcello, Hunter Pence, Alex Gordon, and Shin-Soo Choo all received at least one vote. Statistically and in terms of career impact, you could certainly argue that Murphy, Kendrick, and González belong in that same conversation. But the voters didn’t see it that way.
Because they failed to reach the 5% vote threshold, all three will fall off the ballot moving forward. That ends their Hall of Fame candidacy, at least through the writers’ vote.
Next year, Nationals fans will turn their attention to Ryan Zimmerman, who becomes eligible for the first time. He’s expected to fare better - not necessarily as a Hall of Famer, but he should at least remain on the ballot.
Jordan Zimmermann, another key figure in Nationals history, becomes eligible in 2027.
As for the three who didn’t make the cut, their careers still deserve recognition - not for Cooperstown, but for what they meant to their teams and fanbases.
Howie Kendrick might not have been a superstar, but he was the kind of player every team needs - steady, productive, and clutch when it mattered most. His 35 career WAR leads the group, most of it accumulated during his time with the Angels.
But his most iconic moments came in a Nationals uniform. Kendrick delivered two of the biggest swings in franchise history during the 2019 postseason, including the go-ahead grand slam in Game 5 of the NLDS and the World Series-winning homer in Game 7.
That postseason cemented his place in Nationals lore. He finished his career with a .294 batting average and an All-Star nod - not Hall of Fame numbers, but the kind of résumé that earns lasting respect.
Daniel Murphy had the lowest WAR of the trio, but arguably the highest peak. His 2016 season was something else - a .347 average, 25 homers, and a second-place finish in NL MVP voting.
That came on the heels of his unforgettable 2015 postseason with the Mets, where he went on a historic power surge. Murphy followed up with another strong campaign in 2017, but injuries began to take their toll after that.
His time in Washington was short but electric. For two seasons, he was one of the best hitters in baseball - just not long enough to build a Hall of Fame case.
Gio González had the longest tenure in D.C. and was a mainstay in the Nationals’ rotation for years. His 2012 season - 21 wins and a third-place Cy Young finish - was his peak, but he remained a reliable No. 2 or No. 3 starter for much of his time in Washington.
His 3.62 ERA over six and a half seasons with the Nats speaks to his consistency. Yes, command issues could make him frustrating to watch at times, but when he was locked in, Gio could shut down any lineup.
He was never dominant enough for serious Hall of Fame consideration, but he was a key piece of the Nationals’ rise to relevance.
None of these three are Hall of Famers, and that’s okay. The Hall is reserved for the elite of the elite.
But that doesn’t mean their careers weren’t worth celebrating. They each had moments - and in some cases, seasons - where they were among the best in the game.
Nationals fans won’t forget what they brought to the field, especially during that magical 2019 run.
Making the Hall of Fame ballot is an achievement in itself. And while their candidacies stop here, their legacies - especially in Washington - are secure.