Three of a Kind: Class of 2026 inducted in Cooperstown
Three of a Kind: Class of 2026 inducted in Cooperstown
Written by: Bill Francis
2026-07-26
A record-setting contingent of legends came to Cooperstown to witness a trio of greats enter their exclusive ranks.
The 2026 National Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, with temperatures in the mid-70s and under a mostly sunny sky, was held at the Clark Sports Center on Sunday. Foremost was the induction of Carlos Beltrán, Andruw Jones and Jeff Kent, a bronze plaque coronation that took just over two hours.
The Hall of Fame now totals 354 legends, with 60 inductees on stage (including this year’s trio) making it the largest gathering ever of Hall of Famers. Beltrán, Jones and Kent gave their induction speeches before an estimated crowd of 12,000, with the new bronze plaques making their first public appearance.
It was the 77th edition of the Hall of Fame’s annual summer ritual that dates back to 1939.
— National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum ⚾ (@baseballhall) July 26, 2026
“I’ll try not to cry now, but it’s coming, no doubt,” the 58-year-old Kent began. “This is special to see family and friends and fans that have come from so far to listen to us give our eulogy, if you will, of our baseball careers while we’re still living. What was special to me is being able to stand behind stage and now look at all these legends that are sitting behind me. I am grateful that they are here to listen to me speak, and grateful that you are here as well. There was a time in my life when I played baseball when I was young that I never dreamed of being here on this stage.
“Standing on this stage reminds me why different people come and connect to this game. For some, it’s a shared passion, a time spent with family and friends. For others, it’s an opportunity. And for me, it was it was just a simple plan of a college education and a better way of life for my family.”
Jones, 49, is the first Hall of Famer from the island country of Curaçao. In a 17-year big league career, the first dozen spent with Atlanta and the final five split between the Dodgers, Rangers, White Sox and Yankees, Jones finished with a .254 batting average, 1,933 hits, 434 homers, 1,204 runs and 1,289 RBI. A five-time All-Star, he captured 10 Gold Glove Awards and a Silver Slugger Award in 2005, the season he led the National League with 51 homers and 128 RBI.
“Wow, this is an amazing feeling,” is how Jones began amidst the applause. “First of all, I want to thank the baseball writers for voting me in the Hall of Fame. Getting that phone call was the most memorable moment in my time. There’s no greater honor in baseball.
“I feel like a rookie today, surrounded by all these amazing Hall of Famers behind me. There are so many guys here that I loved to watch play, and I’m happy to be here with them today. I never got to see Willie Mays play, so Ken Griffey was my guy. I wanted to be like him.”
— National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum ⚾ (@baseballhall) July 26, 2026
Jones did have special praise for Bobby Cox, the Hall of Fame manager who passed away in May at the age of 84.
“Nobody in the Braves organization had a bigger impact on me than manager Bobby Cox,” Jones said. “He put a 19-year-old in the World Series lineup and believed in me. Bobby had confidence in me and helped me become the best player I could be. He commanded respect and created a winning culture.
“I know he’s looking down, laughing, and he’d be so happy for me and my family. Thank you, Bobby.”
At the end of the day, Jones said, he just loved the game.
— National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum ⚾ (@baseballhall) July 26, 2026
The 49-year-old Beltrán, born in Puerto Rico, played for 20 seasons for the Royals, Astros, Mets, Giants, Cardinals, Yankees and Rangers, retiring after the 2017 season as one of just four players in history with at least 400 home runs, 300 steals and three Gold Glove Awards. His career ended with a .279 batting average, 2,725 hits, 435 homers, 312 stolen bases, 1,582 runs scored and 1,587 RBI.
“There’s no doubt that this is incredible to be surrounded by so many greats,” Beltrán said with Puerto Rican flags big and small waving throughout the crowd. “I also want to say that when I was growing up in Manatí, Puerto Rico, many of these guys were teaching me the game of baseball. I know some of you guys opened a lot of doors and went through a lot of situations in your career. Then my generation was able to walk through those doors because you opened the path for us. So, I just want to say thank you for making this game better.”
Beltrán saved the end to honor his wife, Jessica.
“Today I honor the best teammate I ever had,” Beltrán said. “I respect you. I’m proud of you. I love you. There’s no doubt that people, when they come to Cooperstown, they will see my plaque. But I have to tell you, your fingerprints are all over this plaque.”
The 2027 Induction Ceremony is scheduled for July 25 in Cooperstown.
Bill Francis is the senior research and writing specialist at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
HALL OF FAME WEEKEND 2026
The eyes of the baseball world will be focused on Cooperstown July 24-27, with the legends of the game in town to see history unfold during Hall of Fame Weekend.
