The Baseball Hall of Fame unveiled its 2024 class that will be inducted this upcoming summer, and it’s a talented one. Joe Mauer, Adrian Beltre, Todd Helton, and former manager Jim Leyland will become a part of baseball immortality this summer after long and distinguished careers. Let’s discuss.
Adrian Beltre Los Angeles Dodgers (1998-2004), Seattle Mariners (2005-2009), Boston Red Sox 2010), Texas Rangers (2011-2018)
Accomplishments: 4x All Star, 5x Gold Glove,, 4x Silver Slugger, 477 home runs, 3,166 hits
Adrian Beltre was one of the most exciting players of his generation. The combination of power and contact he possessed made him lethal. Beltre always seemed to get the most out of every swing he took, sometimes even falling down to one knee. He was also a top-tier defensive third basemen, possessing a strong throwing arm and range at an important spot on the diamond. Beltre is rightfully a first-ballot Hall of Famer after receiving 95.1 percent support, easily clearing the 75 percent mark needed for induction.
Joe Mauer
Minnesota Twins (2004-2018)
Accomplishments 6x All Star, 2009 AL MVP, 3x Gold Glove, 5x Silver Slugger, 3x AL Batting Champ
Joe Mauer is one of the best offensive catchers who ever lived. Winning three batting titles at any position is a great accomplishment, at catcher it is next level special. Mauer had a smooth swing, and a good approach that allowed him to be one of the game’s best. Injuries unfortunately forced him to move over to first base later in his career, but injuries did not derail him from getting in on his first appearance on the ballot. I’ll always remember Mauer as one of the best pure hitters I ever saw. He received 76.1 percent of the voters’ support.
Todd Helton
Colorado Rockies (1997-2013)
5x All Star, 3x Gold Glove, 4x Silver Slugger, led the entire league in average and RBIs in 2000
Unlike Beltre and Mauer, Helton had to wait his turn. This was his 6th year on the ballot, and he received 79.7 support, good enough to finally hear his name called.
I don’t think Helton was ever a great player, to me his path to Cooperstown was formed by just being good for a long time. He is not a member of the 3,000 hit or 500 homerun club, and never won an MVP. But I still have no problem seeing him get in. He was one of the game’s best defensive 1st basemen, and batted .316 lifetime.
With the altitude, Coors Field has been known as a hitters park ever since it was built. I think one of the reasons Helton had to wait this long are his home and road splits. He batted .287 with 142 home runs on the road, and batted .345 with 227 home runs at Coors Field. I still think Helton is a rightful hall of famer, but these splits do mean something.
Jim Leyland
Pittsburgh Pirates (1986-1996), Florida Marlins (1997-1998), Colorado Rockies (1999), Detroit Tigers (2006-2013)
3x Manager of The Year, 1997 World Series Champion
Jim Leyland only won one World Series, but did win three manager of the year awards. Leyland was notable for managing personalities and teams well, including the star studded Pirates early on in his career. Not winning a title with the 2010s Tigers was his biggest failure, but Leyland is still worthy of induction.
Notable Snub:
Billy Wagner
Billy Wagner is a boardline guy and has been treated as such. He fell just five votes short of indiction this year, and next year will be his last year on the ballot. I was young during his career, and I’d be lying to you if I told you I remember watching him pitch. Numbers wise though, I have no problem with him getting in next year.