Potential New Hall of Famers for the Mets

Currently, Tom Seaver and Mike Piazza are the only Mets players in the Hall of Fame, but that could change soon.

Carlos Beltrán, who mentioned last summer that he intends to wear a Mets cap upon his Hall of Fame induction, will find out his fate this Tuesday evening when the Baseball Writers Association of America announces the Class of 2026 ballot.

Last year, Beltrán received 70.3% of the votes. To be inducted, a candidate must meet the 75% requirement.

Another notable name tied to New York, Andruw Jones, garnered 66.2% of the votes and is also expected to be honored. Jones wrapped up his career with the Yankees, while Beltrán played two and a half seasons in the Bronx as well.

Throughout his impressive 20-year career, Beltrán hit 435 home runs and was selected to nine All-Star teams. He received three Gold Glove Awards and two Silver Slugger Awards. His tenure with the Mets spanned from 2005 to 2011, beginning with the Royals and Astros.

“He was always among the best players on the field—if not the best,” reflected Hall of Fame pitcher Billy Wagner, who was a teammate of Beltrán on the Mets. “He consistently remained calm during crucial moments.”

As Beltrán approaches his fourth year of eligibility, some believe his past connections to the Astros’ sign-stealing controversy might hinder his chances. Following the scandal, he resigned from his role as Mets manager prior to any games but later returned to the team as a special assistant.

A memorable disappointment for Beltrán occurred in Game 7 of the 2006 National League Championship Series when he struck out against Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright, which ended up being the game-winning moment.

Interestingly, he did hit three home runs in that series, though that’s often overlooked.

“Everyone had a moment in 2006 where they could have stepped up,” Wagner shared. “But Beltrán played exceptionally well throughout the series. It’s not fair to point fingers at just one person.”

If there’s some reluctance among Mets fans toward Beltrán, it might stem from the team not reaching the World Series during his time.

“Playing for the Mets is always a challenge,” Wagner added. “It feels like you’re not just competing against the opponents but also against the legacy of the teams next to you with their many championships.”

As for Jones, he earned 10 Gold Glove Awards for his stellar defense and hit 434 home runs over his 17-year career, mostly with the Braves, where he played in two World Series.

“He had the ability to impact the game in numerous ways,” Wagner noted.

Other noteworthy players on the ballot include Chase Utley, Andy Pettitte, and Félix Hernández. Alex Rodriguez faces long odds due to his admission of performance-enhancing drug use while with the Yankees and the resulting suspension connected to a PED lab.

David Wright, in his second year on the ballot, received 8.1% of the vote last winter. Candidates can remain on the ballot for up to 10 years if they secure at least 5% of the vote during any given cycle.