Beltrán Unlikely To Make Hall of Fame; Wagner On Edge

MLB writers are notorious for being sticklers when casting their ballots for Hall of Fame inductees. This year in particular, a certain former Met is getting learning that lesson.

Carlos Beltrán made his debut on the Hall of Fame ballot at the end of the 2022 MLB season. The former Met retired in 2017 and appeared to be a no-doubt Hall of Famer. Beltrán finished his career with 435 home runs, 2725 hits, 1587 RBI, and 70.1 bWAR. To go along with his stellar offensive numbers, Beltrán also played a premier position in centerfield. In his career, he won three consecutive gold gloves from 2006 to 2008 and finished with a total of 38 DRS.

Unfortunately for Beltrán, the question does not lie in his number, but in his character. Shortly after retiring, the 2017 World Champion Astros’ cheating scheme was revealed, leaving MLB to reprimand coaches, front-office officials, and the organization as a whole. However, while the players were granted immunity from the report, Beltrán was the only player name listed in the report, hurting his reputation and potentially denying him his rightful spot among MLB’s all-time greats on a first ballot.

Along with being punished now, Beltrán dealt with hardships after the news initially broke. Originally hired to be the Mets manager for the 2020 season, Beltrán was forced out of the role on January 16, 2020, only 76 days after being hired. He remained out of the game entirely for two years before eventually landing a part-time TV analyst role with the Yankees.

Due to his role in the 2017 Astros’ cheating scandal, Beltrán is almost certain to fall short of the 75% of votes to make the Hall of Fame. According to Ryan Thibodaux’s Hall of Fame tracker, Beltrán has received 55.5% of votes as of publishing. To reach 75%, Beltrán would need to be on 93.2% of the remaining unknown ballots.

Denying Beltrán a first-ballot entrance into the Hall of Fame would be criminal. While half of the known ballots have left Beltrán’s box unchecked, one writer came to his defense. Bob Nightengale of USA Today highlighted Beltrán’s 20-year career in his Nightengale Notes and wrote about where he stood among his MLB peers:

“Beltran is the only center fielder in baseball who accumulated at least 70 WAR, and is not in the Hall of Fame. He’s the only switch-hitter in baseball history to reach 2,500 hits (2,725), hit 300 homers (435), and steal 300 bases (312). He has the best stolen-base percentage (86.45%) among any player who stole at least 200 bases.”

Beltrán’s imposing numbers were no stranger to the postseason as well. In 65 games, Beltrán slashed .307/.412/.609/1.021, clubbed 16 home runs and drove in 42 runs. While he’ll be remembered for striking out to end the 2006 NLCS, he clubbed three home runs against the Cardinals that series and carried the Mets offense to game seven.

Along with his counting stats, Beltrán received many accolades in his career. He was the 1999 AL Rookie of the Year, nine-time all-star, three-time gold glove recipient,  and two-time silver slugger. Off the field, Beltrán also won the Roberto Clemente award in 2013 for his creation and involvement in the Carlos Beltrán Foundation, which inspired young people to strive in sports and academics.

The decision on Beltrán for the Hall of Fame should be an easy one. He was one of the greatest centerfielders of all time on both sides of the ball during his peak, all while putting together more than respectable counting stats. The Astros’ scandal may seem egregious to some, but Beltrán was promised immunity as a player and was unfairly singled out by MLB. The Astros kept their championship, Alex Cora and AJ Hinch still manage games, and Beltrán should be recognized in the Hall of Fame.

Hall of Amazin’s

The Mets currently have two other former players on the Hall of Fame ballot with some chance of election: Billy Wagner and Jeff Kent.

Wagner was historically great during his MLB tenure. He finished his career with a 2.31 ERA, 187 ERA+, and an astounding 33.2 SO%. Wagner also recorded 422 saves during his career, which is the sixth most in MLB history and second most among left-handed relievers (former Met John Franco is first with 424). At the end of his career, Wagner was a seven-time All-Star, finished within the top ten for Cy Young voting twice, and won a Rolaids’ Reliever of the Year.

While his regular season numbers are spectacular, the biggest gripe against Wagner is his abysmal postseason numbers. He recorded a 10.03 ERA, allowed 21 hits in 11 2/3 post-season innings, and recorded three saves in 14 post-season games.

Wagner has currently received 72.3% of the votes from known ballots. For him to make it, Wagner needs to be on 77.6% of unknown ballots. He has a fair shot of making it and may see more votes due to Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, and Curt Schilling falling off the ballot. It is Wagner’s eighth year on the ballot.

Better known for his days as a Giant, Kent was an offensive force at second base. He was a five-time All-Star, four-time Silver Slugger, and NL MVP winner in 2000. Among MLB second basemen, Kent hit the most home runs (377), fifth most doubles (560), third most RBI (1518), recorded the ninth-best OPS (.855), and fourth-best slugging percentage (.500). Kent is also the only second basemen in MLB history to have six consecutive 100 RBI seasons.

Despite impressive numbers, Kent’s chances of making the Hall of Fame are slim to none. He currently has received 51.3% of known ballots and needs to be on 97.1% of the remaining ballots to be enshrined in Cooperstown. Unfortunately, it is Kent’s 10th and final year on the ballot. If he fails to receive 75% of the ballot votes, then Kent will fall off the Hall of Fame ballot and his fate will be left to the Veteran’s Committee.

The post Beltrán Unlikely To Make Hall of Fame; Wagner On Edge first appeared on Metsmerized Online.