Carlos Beltran, Andruw Jones elected to Baseball Hall of Fame

The Baseball Hall of Fame’s center-field roster added depth Tuesday with the announcement that Carlos Beltran and Andrew Jones have been selected for induction.

Beltrán was elected in his fourth year of eligibility after being nominated on 84.2% of the BBWAA ballots, easily exceeding the 75% threshold for enshrinement. Jones’ name was on 78.4% of the ballots, clearing the hurdle of earning election in his ninth and second to last year of eligibility.

Beltran and Jones join Jeff Kent, who was elected to the Class of 2026 in the Contemporary Era committee voting in December.

A nine-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glover, Beltran hit .279 with 2,725 hits, 435 homers and 312 stolen bases during his 20-year career. He is one of four players to reach 2,700 hits, 400 homers and 300 steals, along with Barry Bonds, Willie Mays and Alex Rodriguez.

Beltrán becomes the fifth player born in Puerto Rico to be elected to the Hall, not including Edgar Martínez, who was born in New York but grew up and attended high school on the island.

Beltrán, the 1999 AL Rookie of the Year with Kansas City, likely would have been inducted during his first year or two of eligibility had it not been for his association with the Giants. Houston AstrosThe sign-stealing scandal is linked to his 2017 World Series-winning club. His election certainly bodes well for other members of the party who will eventually reach the ballot, such as jose altuve, alex bregman, carlos correa And george springer.

Jones will become the first Curaçao-born player to be inducted. Best remembered for the great defensive skills he displayed during the first decade of his career, Jones is one of just six outfielders to win 10 or more Gold Gloves. He hit .254 with 434 homers during his 17 seasons in the majors.

Jones made headlines in 2006 when, at age 19, he homered twice in Game 1 of the 1996 World Series for the Braves against New York at Yankee Stadium. Jones’ candidacy gradually increased during his years of eligibility, rising from 7.3% in his first season to 1.3% in his final season.

What held Jones back in the early years of the process was likely due to the decline he displayed following his age-30 season, and domestic violence charges being filed against him in 2012, just months after playing his last major league game. He played two seasons in Japan.