
CABO ROJO, PR — Puerto Ricans here on the island were anticipating another celebration to add to our already long holidays with the induction of Carlos Beltrán into the 2025 Class of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Unfortunately, the island and Beltrán will have to wait at least one more year to join the select group of five Puerto Ricans who are already baseball immortals in the Baseball HOF in Cooperstown, New York.

Beltrán family waiting for the HOF call will now wait for 2026 – Image Credit: Jessica Beltrán
The former outfielder from Manati, Puerto Rico did not receive enough votes to reach the minimum required of 75%, when the official results of the votes corresponding to the Class of 2025 were announced yesterday, Tuesday, and carried out annually by the members of the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA).

Carlos Beltrán & Julio Pabón – Image Credit: Latino Sports
Beltrán, who was the American League Rookie and the LatinoMVP Rookie of the year winner in 1999 with the Kansas City Royals played for 20 seasons between 1998 and 2017. He received 70.3% of the total votes to fall below the 75% required to enter the hall of immortals. Beltrán only needed 19 additional votes to enter the HOF.
Beltran’s 70.3% was a increase from one year to the next, since in 2024 he obtained 57.% of the votes. And in his first year of eligibility he obtained 46.5%.

Carlos Beltrán was a Hall of Fame caliber talent on and off the field and will get his day in Cooperstown in the future – Image Credit: MLB
Thus, as several experts anticipated, the percentage he received in 2025 would be high enough to be selected for sure in the Class of 2026.
Those inducted were, Japanese Ichiro Suzuki, who was one vote away from being selected unanimously (99.7%) followed by the former starting pitcher CC Sabathia (86.8%) and the former reliever Billy Wagner (82.5%), who was on the ballot for the tenth time and was saved in his last year of eligibility to enter the hall by the vote of the special committee.

The Hall of Fame Class of 2025 – Image Credit: MLB
Also inducted in the same ceremony will be two other former players, Dick Allen and Dave Parker, who were chosen in December in a separate vote by the Committee of the Contemporary Baseball Era, a process in which those who select are members of the Hall of Fame, including former players and baseball historians.
All-time Puerto Rican leader
Beltrán remains the all-time leader among Puerto Ricans in RBIs and runs scored with 1,587 and 1,582 respectively. His career batting average was .279 with 435 home runs. He also stole 312 bases. In short, a complete player with the so-called five tools of baseball, which only above-average players manage to muster.

Yadier Molina and Carlos Beltrán represent Puerto Rico during 2017 World Baseball Classic – Image Credit: MLB
When he eventually enters the Hall of Fame, as expected, Beltrán, 47, will join Puerto Ricans Roberto Clemente, Orlando “Peruchín” Cepeda, Roberto Alomar, Iván “Pudge” Rodríguez and Edgar Martínez.
Alomar was elected in his second year of eligibility with 90% of the vote, while Rodriguez was elected in his first year in 2017 with 76%.
Follow us on Social Media for updates and exclusive content
Instagram: @latinosportsoficial
Facebook: Latino Sports
Twitter: @latinosports
