Carlos Beltran, Andruw Jones, Jeff Kent enshrined into the Baseball Hall of Fame — Yahoo Sports

RESOLVING THE LEDGER

Hall of Fame inductees Jeff Kent, Andruw Jones, and Carlos Beltrán pose for a photo during the 2026 National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum induction ceremony at Clark Sports Center on Sunday, July 26, 2026 in Cooperstown. (Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

COOPERSTOWN - Carlos Beltran was less than 40 seconds into his National Baseball Hall of Fame speech Sunday afternoon when he mentioned the word "gratitude." It was a sentiment that not only applied to him, but also to fellow inductees Andruw Jones and Jeff Kent, as each joined the sport's greatest fraternity.

This year's edition of Hall of Fame inductees came from Puerto Rico (Beltran), Curacao (Jones) and California (Kent). Each arrived later than many thought they would, as Beltran gained enough votes in his fourth year on the ballot, Jones needed nine years and Kent gained his election through the Contemporary Eras Committee after failing to make it in via the baseball writers.

The order of Sunday's speeches at Clark Sports Center began with Kent, followed by Jones and Beltran, the last of whom noted that "behind every player, there is a village of people. Thinking about my career, there is no doubt I could not accomplish this on my own. Before I speak about baseball, I want to speak about gratitude. It reminds us that none of us can accomplish anything alone."

Beltran, who did not begin switch-hitting until he was 19, is one of three players in MLB history with 400 home runs and 300 stolen bases, along with fellow greats Willie Mays and Andre Dawson. Beltran earned the American League Rookie of the Year in 1999 as a unanimous selection playing for the Kansas City Royals. He quickly established himself as one of the game's best all-around players and produced one of the best ever postseason runs in 2004 with Houston.

Beltran, who entered the Hall of Fame with a New York Mets' cap on his plaque, thanked the baseball writers, his coaches, teammates, parents, family and Puerto Rico for helping him enjoy the kind of career he had. Along with Mickey Mantle, Beltran is one of two switch-hitting center fielders to hit 400 home runs.

"New York shaped my life," Beltran said. "I was here when I experienced some of my greatest successes and some of my greatest challenges. Playing for the Mets made me a better man and a better leader. Many of the most meaningful relationships that I was able to build in my career, I did it wearing a Mets uniform. The Mets cap to me represents growth and it represents where I became the best version of myself."

As Beltran closed his poignant address, he offered his most heartfelt praise to his wife, Jessica.

"Today, I honor the best teammate I ever had - you," Beltran said. "I respect you. I am proud of you. I love you. … There is no doubt that when people come to Cooperstown, they will see my plaque. I have to tell you your fingerprints are all over this plaque."

Jones earned 10 straight Gold Gloves patrolling center field for the Atlanta Braves. He finished his time in MLB having produced 434 home runs, 1,289 RBIs and 153 stolen bases. His best season came in 2005 when he clubbed 51 home runs and drove in 128 runs for the Braves.

"First of all, I want to thank the baseball writers for voting me in the Hall of Fame. Getting that phone call (was) the most memorable moment in my time," Jones said.

Jones spoke about his father, who died 10 years ago, and how he inspired him to follow in his footsteps as a center fielder.

"I never played this game thinking about going into the Hall of Fame," said Jones, who now works for Atlanta. "I played for an amazing organization with a winning culture. It was easier when you focused on the team and not yourself. That is the beauty of the game. When baseball is your life, there is no way to put into words when you finish your career with a Hall of Fame plaque. For everyone that followed me on my journey from Curacao to Cooperstown, thank you and God bless."

Kent, an intense player who rarely showed any emotion on the field, had to take a moment to gather himself before beginning his speech.

Kent was the 523rd player selected (20th round) by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1989 draft. He bounced around until finding a home with the San Francisco Giants, where manager Dusty Baker implored Kent to drive the ball.

In 2000, Kent earned the National League Most Valuable Player award when he hit .334 with 33 home runs and 125 RBIs. Over the course of his career, Kent hit 351 of his 377 home runs playing second base to become the all-time leader at the position. He also hit .290 and drove in 1,518 runs.

"This is special to see family, friends and fans that have come so far to listen to us give you our eulogy, if you will, of our baseball careers while we are still living," Kent said. "What was special to me is being able to stand behind the stage and now look at all these legends that are sitting behind me. I am grateful that they are here to listen to me speak and grateful that you are here, as well."

In a career in which he also played for Toronto, the New York Mets, Cleveland, Houston and the Los Angeles Dodgers, Kent said his career flourished most playing for manager Dusty Baker in San Francisco.

"San Francisco is where every lesson I learned finally came together," Kent said.

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Carlos Beltran, Andruw Jones, Jeff Kent enshrined into the Baseball Hall of Fame — Yahoo Sports | AIPROPX