Beltre, Mauer, Helton, and Leyland Become Immortal
Adrian Beltré, Joe Mauer, and Todd Helton were officially inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday, cementing their legacies as some of the game’s greats.
Beltré, who played 21 seasons for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, and Texas Rangers, celebrated his induction with humor, recalling how he disliked having his head touched — a tradition continued by fellow Hall of Famer David Ortiz during the ceremony. Beltré is the first third baseman in baseball history with over 450 home runs and 3,000 hits. He also earned five Gold Gloves.
Mauer, a hometown hero from St. Paul, Minnesota, expressed his gratitude for representing the Minnesota Twins, the team that drafted him first overall in 2001. Mauer’s career boasts six All-Star appearances, an MVP award, and three batting titles. He is the only catcher with at least 2,000 hits and a .300 batting average.
Helton, who spent his entire career with the Colorado Rockies, shared his journey from a college football standout at the University of Tennessee to MLB star. Known for his modesty, Helton emphasized his unease with the spotlight but acknowledged the camaraderie among Hall of Famers as affirming his place among baseball’s elite.
Jim Leyland, elected by the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee, celebrated his induction, highlighting the crucial role of fans in the sport. His managerial career spanned 22 seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Florida Marlins — winning the 1997 World Series — Rockies, and Detroit Tigers. Leyland’s speech underscored the deep connection between the game and its supporters.
