It may be cold outside across the continental United States, but before you know it we’ll be enjoying our National Pastime on a warm summer day. Spring training is just around the corner and a usual sure sign of it is the Baseball Hall of Fame class being announced in snowy Cooperstown. The Hall of Fame voting has become a hot button issue in recent years with the “holier than thou” approach the writers take to casting “the vote,” which along with the cloud of steroid users has helped to sour the feeling around the process. Despite some of the negativity that surrounds the event, to me it is still extremely special and sacred as the game celebrates its history, something that makes baseball unique compared to the other sports. So, without any further ado, lets meet the MLB Hall of Fame class of 2024.

Adrian Beltre

The first member of the class is the eternally underappreciated, up until now that is as he earned 95.1% of the vote, Adrian Beltre. Beltre was always one of my favorite players to watch every season and I know I’m not alone in that, as he played each game with pure joy and flashed his talent unlike many others. Beltre patrolled third base for the Dodgers, Mariners, Red Sox and Rangers for 21 seasons and put up some consistently terrific numbers along the way.

Number 29 finished with a lifetime .286 batting average, 3,166 hits, and 477 home runs. He was a four time All Star, and a winner of five gold glove awards (and two platinum gloves) and four silver slugger awards. He was a gifted defender that played the hot corner with a grace that was on par with the best to ever do it, while being a downright terror at the plate. Beltre’s violent swing made him an extra base hit machine…essentially just the definition of a guy you didn’t want to face in a big spot. The Hall of ghostly legends gains another character that should add to the fun when the lights go out.

Todd Helton

The second inductee in this year’s class is “Mr. Rockie” himself, Todd Helton. The lifelong Colorado first baseman was elected with 79.7% of the vote, after a lengthy wait on the ballot. His consistent production helped keep the Rockies relevant in the NL West and eventually win the 2007 NL pennant. After being a two-sport football and baseball star at the University of Tennessee, he rose to the challenge of replacing Andres “Big Cat” Galarraga and never gave up the job. Unfortunately, his wait is attributable to the “Coors Field Affect,” as voters considered his stats to be “inflated” by the thin air launch pad of a ballpark in Denver, though his road splits are very impressive on their own. It doesn’t matter when the honor comes though, as the Hall of Fame will open its doors to him this summer.

In 17 seasons, Helton posted a lifetime batting average of .316, with 2,519 hits, and 369 home runs. He consistently hit over .300, the apex of which was a .372 campaign, and much like Beltre he was an extra base hit machine. Helton’s finest season saw him put up a surreal total of 147 RBI’s to help carry Colorado. Perhaps the greatest shame of Helton’s career was that he didn’t get the chance to flash his talent in the postseason more often, as he only saw action in October baseball twice. None the less Todd Helton had a wonderful major league career, and he will be a great addition to induction weekend, bringing fellow legendary Tennessee teammate and friend, Peyton Manning as a guest.

Joe Mauer

Our third inductee is a player who was the best of his generation at his craft, Twins catcher Joe Mauer. Number seven donned just one uniform for his entire 15-year MLB career and did so with pure class on and off the field. Mauer and his running mate Justin Morneau helped keep the Twins relevant for years in the AL Central, but Mauer was truly the face of the franchise and the reason that the Twins home ballpark, Target Field, stands today. While his “peak” may have been briefer than the other players in this class, his work defined the catching position on offense and defense for years.

In 15 seasons, Mauer posted a .306 lifetime batting average with 2,123 hits, and 143 home runs. He won the league MVP award in 2009 along with three batting titles, three gold glove awards, and five silver sluggers while being voted to six All-Star teams. He was one of the most gifted hitters around with a patient approach and a brilliant eye. Mauer was had consistent on base percentage of over .400 and batted well over .300 repeatedly, including stand out seasons of .344 and .365 when he captured the batting title. He grew up a Twins fan and became one of the best Twins of all time, the only shame is that injuries derailed him from putting up even better numbers. He’s a wonderful addition to the catching fraternity in Cooperstown.

Jim Leyland

The fourth member of the incoming class is legendary manager Jim Leyland, as he was named to the class by the writers back in December. Leyland is the definition of a baseball lifer as he has spent 61 years in the game as a player and coach. Leyland is known for his leadership and fine work developing players, both young and old, and had a strong run of success in nearly every stop of his career. He was also known for his sharp wit and fiery temper, something that was often on display with his players whom he seemingly treated all the same.

In 20 seasons as a skipper, Leyland had a record of 1,769-1,728-2 for a .506 winning percentage. He built the Pirates, Marlins and Tigers into a consistent winner, with a disappointing stop in Colorado along the way. His steady guiding hand helped teams win three pennants, one in Miami and two in Detroit, and his crowning achievement was capturing the World Series with a surprising upset of the Cleveland Indians. Leyland is a great addition to the group of managers in the Hall, most notably his peer Joe Torre who enjoyed much of the same success in the same era.

The Snubs

The most notable snub by the writers this year, at least based on vote total, is closer Billy Wagner. Wagner received 73.9% of the vote, leaving him just five votes short of the threshold to make the Hall. Wagner has been on the ballot for some time now and likely will make the cut next year, and frankly it’s hard to argue against him. The flame throwing lefty, known for his unique delivery due to several childhood injuries, put up some great numbers over his 16 seasons. Wagner posted a record of 47-40, with a 2.31 ERA and 422 saves for the Astros, Phillies, Mets, Red Sox and Braves. His save total, is good for sixth all time, putting him in the elite company of Hall of Famers Mariano Rivera, Trevor Hoffman, and Lee Smith. It feels like it’s only a matter of time for Billy!

The other most notable snub of the class is outfielder Gary Sheffield. The righty, whose swing was often imitated, had one of the most productive careers of any player in his generation. Sheffield posted a .292 career batting average with 2,689 hits and 509 home runs in 22 MLB seasons with the Brewers, Padres, Marlins, Dodgers, Braves, Yankees, Tigers and Mets. He was a nine time All Star and won a batting title, five silver slugger awards, and the World Series in 1997 with the Marlins. He checks all the boxes to make it to Cooperstown but received just 63.9% of the vote, as he has long been linked to the Balco steroid lab and the Mitchell report. Without a smoking gun proving the righty knowingly took a PED and given the individuals that have been inducted to the Hall with ties to PED’s, one can make a compelling case to induct Sheffield.

Going Forward

While many like to focus their attention on the steroid users and whether or not they deserve to be in the Hall, I will go a different rout here to wrap up this piece. With a player like Mauer being elected, who had an aforementioned “brief” prime of his career, perhaps two New York baseball fan favorites have renewed hope of induction. Keith Hernandez and Don Mattingly have long run out of eligibility on the normal ballot and are in the hands of the veterans committee, but their case received a boost in my eyes as their best years didn’t span their entire careers either. Unquestionably they were two of the best in the game during their time in “the show,” and perhaps their peers will help them join the best of the best.

I can’t finish this off without giving a shoutout to a player who is in my opinion one of the best players not yet in the Hall of Fame, second baseman Jeff Kent. Kent had a .290 carrier batting average with 2,461 hits and 377 home runs in 17 MLB seasons with the Blue Jays, Mets, Indians, Giants, Astros and Dodgers. He was a solid defender but made his name with his bat as he was voted to five All-Star games and won four silver slugger awards along with and NL MVP. Kent was a key piece of several successful teams, and his offensive stats place him amongst the best to ever play his position. It’s truly a major oversight that he hasn’t yet been elected to Cooperstown, but hopefully the veterans committee solves that.

Be on the lookout for most baseball offseason content to come soon as we will breakdown more of the big moves that have taken place since we last spoke. We’ll also have another playoff football preview and a special Ranger release coming in the days ahead. You can find me on Twitter @YNWA9623 and subscribe to the site by hitting the follow button in the bottom right corner and entering your email address. Stay tuned!