Adrián Beltré, an embodiment of consistent greatness throughout his 21-year major league career, achieved an overwhelming victory in his first year of eligibility and secured a spot in baseball’s Hall of Fame. The four-time All-Star third baseman, renowned for slugging 477 home runs and amassing 3,166 hits, will be part of the induction ceremony in July at Cooperstown, joined by Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer and Colorado Rockies first baseman Todd Helton.
Beltré, aged 44, played a pivotal role for various teams throughout his illustrious career, commencing with the Los Angeles Dodgers at the age of 19. He subsequently had stints with the Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, and finally, the Texas Rangers, where he spent the last eight years of his career. Particularly transformative in Texas, Beltré led the team to Game 7 of the 2011 World Series and three additional playoff appearances. His career was marked by remarkable achievements, both statistically, defensively, and as a universally respected clubhouse presence.
Earning recognition on 366 of the 385 ballots, a robust 95.1%, Beltré’s resounding election well surpassed the 75% threshold required for induction.
The 2024 voting results also saw Joe Mauer securing a place in the Hall of Fame. The 40-year-old Minnesota Twins catcher, although initially facing uncertainty due to an incomplete resume, received 293 votes, slightly exceeding the required number for induction at 76.1%. Mauer, known for winning three American League batting titles and earning three Gold Gloves, had shifted to first base in his final five seasons, contributing to doubts regarding his first-ballot election. However, his remarkable peak performances and career achievements ultimately earned him the Hall of Fame nod.
Todd Helton, the Colorado Rockies’ first baseman, had a distinctive career that involved playing at Coors Field, a factor that influenced his offensive production. Despite hitting 369 home runs, falling short of the typical 500 associated with Hall induction, Helton’s elite .316/.414/.539 slash line with a .953 OPS and 133 adjusted OPS contributed to his enshrinement. Named on 79.7% of ballots, with 307 votes, Helton comfortably surpassed the induction cutline in his sixth year of eligibility.
While these players celebrated their induction, some notable figures faced disappointment. Gary Sheffield, in his 10th and final appearance on the ballot, received only 63.9% of votes, falling short of the 75% required for induction. Sheffield, associated with the game’s performance-enhancing drug era, faced challenges in a crowded field of worthy candidates during his debut in 2015.
Relief pitcher Billy Wagner also narrowly missed the threshold for induction. In his ninth appearance on the ballot, Wagner received 73.8% of the votes, just below the required 75%. With 284 votes, Wagner will have one more chance to secure induction via the writers ballot.
The 2024 Hall of Fame induction ceremony on July 21 will see the enshrinement of Adrián Beltré, Joe Mauer, Todd Helton, manager Jim Leyland, Boston Red Sox announcer Joe Castiglione, and baseball writer Gerry Fraley.
The full voting results for the 2024 Baseball Hall of Fame are as follows:
- Adrián Beltré: 95.1% (first year)
- Todd Helton: 79.7% (sixth)
- Joe Mauer: 76.1% (first)
- Billy Wagner: 73.8% (ninth)
- Gary Sheffield: 63.9% (10th, final year)
- Andruw Jones: 61.6% (seventh)
- Carlos Beltran: 57.1% (second)
- Alex Rodriguez: 34.8% (third)
- Manny Ramirez: 32.5% (eighth)
- Chase Utley: 28.8% (first)
- Omar Vizquel: 17.7% (seventh)
- Bobby Abreu: 14.8% (fifth)
- Jimmy Rollins: 14.8% (third)
- Andy Pettitte: 13.5% (sixth)
- Mark Buehrle: 8.3% (fourth)
- Francisco Rodriguez: 7.8% (second)
- Torii Hunter: 7.3% (fourth)
- David Wright: 6.2% (first)
- José Bautista: 1.6% (first)
- Victor Martinez: 1.6% (first)
- Bartolo Colon: 1.3% (first)
- Matt Holliday: 1% (first)
- Adrián González: 0.8% (first)
- Brandon Phillips: 0.3% (first)