Cooperstown welcomed three new baseball legends. Carlos Beltrán, Andruw Jones and Jeff Kent were inducted into the Hall of Fame in a ceremony before 12,000 fans and 57 current Hall of Fame members.
Jones: the first Curacao native in the Hall
The Atlanta Braves outfielder, winner of 10 Gold Gloves, dedicated his speech to his native Curaçao. “There is no easy way to get here from the small island… But today Cooperstown and Curaçao are united forever,” he said.
Jones is the first player from that island to enter. He thanked his late father, Henry Jones, who taught him to follow the ball by hitting fly balls from foul pole to foul pole.
“Dad, we did it,” she said through tears.
Beltrán and the echo of Puerto Rico
Chants of “Puerto Rico” accompanied every mention of their island. Beltrán, Rookie of the Year in 1999 and 20 seasons in MLB, reviewed his time with each team. The Mets received the highest praise: “New York shaped my life.”
He did not mention the 2017 title with Houston, embroiled in the sign-stealing scandal. He did thank voters, even those who did not support him. He won 84.2% of the vote in his fourth year of eligibility. Jones scored 78.4% in his ninth.
Kent: from the deal to the truck
The second baseman with the most home runs in history (351) and NL MVP in 2000 with San Francisco, showed a sensitive side. Before speaking, he cried when he saw his parents. He remembered the deal with his father: if he got a college scholarship, he would receive a pickup truck. Today he keeps it in his garage.
“Some of the simplest things can completely change the direction of your life,” reflected Kent, chosen by the Contemporary Era Committee.
