As the ballots have been totaled, three legends of the game will be heading to Cooperstown to join the MLB Hall of Fame. The three inductees in the 2024 class are third baseman Adrián Beltré, lifelong Minnesota Twin Joe Mauer and Colorado Rockies longtime first baseman Todd Helton. Along with the players, former manager Jim Leyland will be inducted into the Hall of Fame. The four legends of the game will be commemorated on July 21st.
The MLB Hall of Fame has been around since 1936. The Baseball Writers’ Association of America votes each year. Writers look at each players’ record, playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character, and contributions to their teams. Players must have played 10 MLB seasons, with their careers concluding five years prior to the election. Players have 10 years to be on the ballot for a chance to be inducted. To be inducted into the Hall of Fame, players must receive 75% of the votes. To remain on the ballot, players must receive a minimum of 5% of votes.
Beltré and Mauer only needed one year on the ballot. Beltre spent 21 seasons in the MLB with the Dodgers, Mariners, Red Sox and Rangers, where he totaled 477 home runs and 1,707 RBIs. Beltré earned four All-Star nominations, four Silver Sluggers, five Gold Gloves and a pair of Platinum Gloves. Beltré helped the Rangers make back-to-back World Series in 2010 and 2011. Mauer spent his entire career with his hometown team, the Minnesota Twins. Across his 15 seasons with the club, Mauer became a franchise legend and fan favorite, being elected to six All-Stars, totaling three Gold Gloves, five Silver Sluggers, three Batting Titles and the 2009 AL MVP.
Helton narrowly missed the cut last season, earning just under the 75% threshold. Helton is one of the greatest players in Rockies history, collecting three Gold Gloves, four Silver Sluggers, five All-Star selections and one Batting Title. Helton’s 2000 season is one of the best hitting seasons, where he collected 216 hits, 42 home runs and 147 RBIs, while having a .372/.463/.698 slashline. Helton also helped lead the Rockies to their lone World Series appearance in 2007.
Leyland managed for 22 seasons, spending time with the Pirates, Marlins, Rockies and Tigers. He was at the helm when the Marlins won their first World Series. After a unceremonious stint with the Rockies, Leyland’s tenure with the Tigers yielded four postseason berths, three AL Central Titles and two AL Pennants.
Several players came off the ballot, including one of the best hitters of a generation
Many of the first year members had a short-lived era on the ballot, as eight of the newcomers failed to hit the 5% benchmark to remain on the ballot. The likes of Matt Holliday, James Shields, Bartolo Colón, Brandon Phillips, José Reyes, José Bautista, Victor Martínez and Adrián González were one-and-done candidates.
Also falling off the ballot is Gary Sheffield, who fell short on his final year on the ballot. He was easily one of the best hitters of his generation, if not across all of baseball history. Sheffield popped 509 home runs and drove in 1,676 RBIs. Along with his statistics, he earned nine All-Star selections, five Silver Sluggers and a Batting Title, while also helping the Florida Marlins win their first World Series in franchise history in 1997.
Players to watch on future ballots
In between the inductees and those who fell off the ballot are 14 players who have a bid to enter Cooperstown. Reliever Billy Wagner missed the mark by just over 1% of votes. With only one year remaining on the ballot and a strong 2025 class coming in, Wagner is going to need to hope the voting committee gives him the handful of missing votes he needs.
Following Wagner was Andruw Jones and Carlos Beltrán, a pair of game changing centerfielders. Jones was a key contributor to the dominant late 90s to 2000s Atlanta Braves. Jones was primarily known for his defense, earning 10 consecutive Gold Gloves. However, offensively he was no slouch, drilling 434 long balls, tallying 1,289 RBIs and earning a Silver Slugger in 2005. As for Beltrán, he was a game changing player, bringing a combination of speed and power that has since transformed the game. The nine time All-Star and 1999 AL Rookie of the Year used all five tools on both sides, earning three Gold Gloves and two Silver Sluggers.
Former teammates of Beltrán, David Wright and Francisco Rodríguez made strong enough cases to remain on the ballot. Wright was the anchor and a fan favorite for the Mets for his entire 14 year career with the club. Rodríguez was a lights out closer, collecting 437 saves, fourth all time in MLB history, with five different clubs, dominating at every destination.
From one Rodríguez to another, Álex Rodríguez is one of the greatest players to ever step on a baseball field. The three time MVP, 14 time All-Star, 10 time Silver Slugger, two time Gold Glove winner and 2009 World Series champion would be a sure-fire Hall of Famer if it wasn’t for his steroid use.
Another steroid user who despite his accolades has a tough battle to earn his way into Cooperstown is Manny Ramírez. Ramírez was a 12-time All-Star, nine time Silver Slugger and helped the Red Sox win two World Series, earning the 2004 World Series MVP.
Two superstar defenders are still remaining, as Omar Vizquel and Torii Hunter have another year on the ballot. Both players were solid hitters, as both collected over 2,400 hits, with Vizquel collecting 11 Gold Gloves and Hunter earning nine.
Three former Phillies also have another chance next season. Bobby Abreu and Jimmy Rollins returned to the ballot, though Chase Utley earned more votes than his teammates. Abreu spent the late 1990s and early 2000s serving as the Phillies star slugger, while Utley and Rollins were the face of the franchise during an era that saw the Phillies win five consecutive NL East titles, two NL pennants and the 2008 World Series.
Rounding out the remainder of the ballot were workhorse lefties Andy Pettite and Mark Buehrle. Pettite was a part of five Yankees World Series, while Buerhle was able to be a key piece in the 2005 White Sox World Series team that knocked off Pettite and the Astros.
All stats are from Baseball Reference as of Jan. 23.
Contact the writer: [email protected]
