COOPERSTOWN — Baseball’s newest Hall of Famers, center fielders Carlos Beltrán and Andruw Jones, got their orientation to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum on Thursday, Jan. 22, just two days after they were revealed as part of the Class of 2026.
Jones and Beltrán were joined in the Plaque Gallery by HOF President Josh Rawitch, HOF Board Chair Jane Forbes Clark and Jack O’Connell, secretary/treasurer of the Baseball Writers Association of America, for a media conference that was also broadcast live on the MLB Network. HOF Vice President Jon Shestakofsky moderated the event.
With Jones gaining the votes for induction during his ninth year on the ballot, and Beltran on his fourth, Rawitch noted how difficult it is to become a Hall of Famer.
“If you are a young kid dreaming of playing in baseball, you know that there are about just under 24,000 that have even gotten a single day in major league baseball,” he said, “and of that group, only 281 players, just over 1%, actually get a plaque in the gallery.”
O’Connell noted how rarely center fielders have made the Hall and that two have never before been inducted in one year.
“Among the first class was a center fielder, Ty Cobb,” he said. “Tris Speaker joined him the next year, and along the way came Joe DiMaggio, Willie (Mays), Mickey (Mantle) and the Duke (Snyder), Kirby Puckett and Junior Griffey. So now, here are Carlos Beltrán and Andruw Jones.
“They have been linked before,” he continued. “Andruw was born the day before Carlos, and Carlos had one more home run in his career than Andruw. Now they are elbow to elbow as Hall of Fame classmates. And the only thing I can tell the two of you is that your experience in Cooperstown will only get better by the day.”
Beltrán who played for 20 seasons with Kansas City, Houston, Texas, the Mets and Yankees, San Francisco and Saint Louis, said he has not decided what cap he will wear on his plaque. He said he wanted to take in the experience this week, then speak with his family and Hall officials in order to make his choice.
“I am proud of this moment,” he said. “I am excited for what is ahead of us.”
Rawitch referred to Beltrán as a five-tool player, noting he is one of only five players ever to hit 400 home runs and steal 300 bases. Rawitch listed Jones’ statistics over his peak, pointing out that the player known for his defense, was good on offense, too.
“Obviously his defense was a calling card, but it wasn’t the only part of his game. His offense was just as potent,” Rawitch said. “Andruw averaged over a seven-year period 37 homers and 109 RBI with an 860 OPS.”
Jones spoke glowingly about his time with the Atlanta Braves, saying he was blessed to be part of an organization that good.
“I never dreamed about being a Hall of Famer,” he said. “All my dreams were about being a good baseball player and helping my team win. That’s what I did my whole career. Now I am here to be part of this great legacy.
“To win 14 straight division titles was not easy,” Jones said. “It starts in the front office and Bobby Cox to build it to be able to get to that level and be able to win division titles. You can see that throughout the years, we have had (inducted) Chipper Jones, (Tom) Glavine, (Greg) Maddox, (John) Smoltz, Fred McGriff, Bobby Cox, even the General Manager John Schuerholz into the Hall of Fame. For me to be the next one is a great honor. It is a special place to be, here, and to be representing them.”
Beltrán said he didn’t dream of the Hall of Fame either, but like Jones, he wanted to be a consistent baseball player. He thanked his Kansas City teammate George Brett and said he was blessed Brett cared about helping young players.
Beltrán also praised Jones, a frequent rival.
“We had our battles trying to be the best defenders out there, trying to be the best players to help our teams win ball games,” Beltran said. “I admired your career. I respected your career. I am proud to be going into the HOF with you, my friend.”
Beltrán was asked about his 2017 World Series title with Houston and what he wanted people to know about his efforts that year. The Astros were penalized for sign stealing and Beltran has been called the ringleader of those efforts.
Beltrán said he was proud of that team and that they deserved to be where they were, but he did not think that year defined his legacy.
“Honestly speaking, I know that is part of my story,” he said. “2017, I feel like we had an incredible team. We had a lot of younger guys, guys who have gone on to have great careers. There is no doubt, as a team, we put ourselves in that position. We did take it to another level, in terms of finding ways to beat the opposing team. But, at the same time, we as a group and as an organization, we also felt, you know what, being able to take advantage of an opposing team is something that every team will do in baseball to get to that point.
“So, yes, when you hear the name Carlos Beltrán, that’s something that is going to be attached to my name,” he continued. “But at the same time that really doesn’t define the person that I am. That is a moment in my career.”
During the event, Jones and Beltrán modeled their new Hall of Fame ball caps and jerseys.
Beltrán, who brought his wife Jessica, their three kids and his mother-in-law, also took a tour of the museum.
At the end, the duo signed the spots on the wall where their plaques will be hung Sunday, July 26, not long after they, along with second baseman Jeff Kent, are inducted at The Clark Sports Center in the town of Middlefield. Kent was selected in December by the Contemporary Era Committee.
Rawitch told the players Thursday they had made their final team.
“It is the greatest team that has ever been assembled, the Hall of Fame team,” he said.
