Beltré, Mauer, Helton elected into Baseball HOF

Adrián Beltré, Joe Mauer, and Todd Helton were elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame on Tuesday after receiving at least 75% of votes from the Baseball Writers' Association of America.

Beltré and Mauer were both on the ballot for the first time, while Helton was in his sixth year of eligibility.

Mauer reached the 75% threshold by just four votes. Former closer Billy Wagner fell short of election by just five votes in his ninth year of eligibility.

Beltré spent his 21-year career between the Los Angeles Dodgers, Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, and Texas Rangers. The four-time All-Star was one of the most well-rounded players in baseball. Beltré won four Silver Sluggers, five Gold Gloves, and a pair of Platinum Gloves as a third baseman during his career. He is a member of the illustrious 3,000-hit club and also hit 477 home runs with 1,707 RBIs across 2,933 games.

"It's amazing to be even just on the ballot and to now be able to call myself a Hall of Famer ... it's really an honor," Beltré told MLB Network.

Mauer, a native of St. Paul, Minnesota, spent his entire 15-year career with the Minnesota Twins. The 2009 AL MVP was one of the best pure hitters in the league, winning three batting titles and five Silver Sluggers. Mauer also made the All-Star Game on six occasions and took home three Gold Gloves as a catcher. He finished his career with a .306 batting average, 143 home runs, 1,018 runs scored, and 923 RBIs.

Helton spent his entire 17-year career with the Colorado Rockies. The first baseman won a batting title in 2000 after hitting .372 and also took home four Silver Sluggers and three Gold Gloves. Helton finished his career with an impressive .316/.414/.539 slash line with 369 home runs, 1,401 runs scored, and 1,406 RBIs across 2,247 games.

Meanwhile, nine-time All-Star outfielder Gary Sheffield finished with 63.9% of the vote in his 10th and final year on the ballot. Sheffield will be eligible for the contemporary era committee for the first time in 2027.

The 2024 induction ceremony is scheduled for July 19-22 in Cooperstown, New York. Beltré, Mauer, and Helton will join former manager Jim Leyland, who was selected by the contemporary era committee in December. Boston Red Sox radio broadcaster Joe Castiglione will also be honored as this year's recipient of the Ford C. Frick Award.