Beltrán and Jones Elected to Baseball Hall of Fame

Carlos Beltrán and Andruw Jones, two standout center fielders known for their defensive prowess and offensive contributions, were elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Tuesday through balloting by the Baseball Writers Association of America.

Beltrán received 358 of 425 votes, or 84.2 percent, surpassing the 75 percent threshold required for induction in his fourth year on the ballot. Jones garnered 333 votes, or 78.4 percent, securing his election in his ninth of 10 possible appearances. Both players will join second baseman Jeff Kent, who was selected last month by the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee, in the Hall of Fame Class of 2026. The induction ceremony is scheduled for July 26 in Cooperstown, New York.

Beltrán, a 48-year-old native of Manatí, Puerto Rico, played 20 major league seasons from 1998 to 2017 across seven teams, including the Kansas City Royals, Houston Astros, New York Mets, San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees and Texas Rangers. He finished his career with 435 home runs, 2,725 hits, 1,587 RBIs and 312 stolen bases, becoming one of only five players in history to reach at least 500 doubles, 400 home runs and 300 stolen...