Baseball HOF induction roundup: Plaques, speeches from 2024 class

The National Baseball Hall of Fame welcomed its class of 2024 on Sunday as Adrian Beltré, Joe Mauer, Todd Helton, and Jim Leyland were all enshrined in Cooperstown.

Adrian Beltré

Career WAR: 83.5
Year on ballot: 1st
Percentage of vote: 95.1%
HOF hat: Rangers
HOF plaque:

"Combined formidable bat with dynamic defense to establish himself as a premier third baseman - the first to record both 450 home runs and 3,000 hits. Dominican Republic native developed with Dodgers into baseball's top home run hitter with 48 in 2004. Closed career with eight-year run as Rangers lineup centerpiece. Reaching the 30-homer mark four more times and leading the majors in hits in 2013. Filled highlight reels across 21-year career with quick hands and a rifle arm, winning five Gold Glove Awards. Four-time All-Star retired with more hits than any other third baseman (3,166)."

Joe Mauer

Career WAR: 53.5
Year on ballot: 1st
Percentage of vote: 76.1%
HOF hat: Twins
HOF plaque:

"Lifelong Twin was one of the most complete catchers in the game's history, producing at the plate and behind the mask like few others. Deployed precise left-handed swing to become first AL catcher to win a batting title, securing three total - 2006, 2008, 2009 - most ever among backstops in AL/NL history. Earned AL MVP honors in 2009 when he hit .365, setting all-time record among those with 100 games caught in a season, and homered 28 times. First overall selection of 2001 MLB Draft was a six-time All-Star. Won five Silver Sluggers and displayed athleticism behind the plate, earning three Gold Glove Awards."

Todd Helton

Career WAR: 54.9
Year on ballot: 6th
Percentage of vote: 79.7%
HOF hat: Rockies
HOF plaque:

"One of baseball's most efficient hitters who blended plate discipline with elite contact skills and brute strength during 17-year career as face of the Rockies franchise. Across five consecutive All-Star seasons from 2000-04, led the majors in batting average (.349), extra-base hits (451), and total bases (1,832). His 2000 campaign topped leaderboards with 59 doubles, 147 RBI, a .372 average, and 1.162 OPS, and was his first of back-to-back seasons with more than 400 total bases. Left-hander earned four Silver Slugger Awards and three Gold Gloves, leading NL first basemen in fielding percentage six times."

Jim Leyland

Contemporary Baseball Era Non-Players Committee
Manager
HOF plaque:

"Master strategist and motivator galvanized youngsters and veterans to lead three franchises to the postseason and win a World Series title. Debuted as manager with the Pirates in 1986, guiding rebuild that resulted in three straight NL East crowns from 1990-92. After 11 seasons in Pittsburgh, melded a reassembled Marlins team into world champions in 1997. Over eight seasons at the helm of the Tigers, piloted team to three first-place finishes and AL pennants in 2006 and 2012. Winner of Manager of the Year Award twice in NL (1990, 1992) and once again in AL (2006)."