Baseball Hall of Fame adds Beltran, Kent and Jones

At Houston's Daikin Park, Carlos Beltran remains a familiar name from his 2004 run with the Astros. That made Tuesday's Baseball Hall of Fame news notable locally, as Beltran joined Jeff Kent and Andruw Jones as the newest members elected to Cooperstown.

The Hall of Fame vote recognized three players whose careers spanned the late 1990s and 2000s. Beltran built a resume around power, speed and center-field defense. Kent became one of baseball's top power-hitting second basemen, and Jones earned wide recognition for his long run as an elite defender in center field.

Baseball Hall of Fame vote adds three former stars

Beltran's election carries a Houston connection because of his short but memorable stretch with the Astros. He played only part of one season in Houston, but his postseason performance in 2004 left a lasting mark. He later went on to compile the broader career totals that placed him among the game's most accomplished switch-hitters.

Kent's case centered on offense at second base. Over his career, he hit for average and power in a role where that kind of production has been uncommon. Jones entered the Hall after years of debate around his candidacy, with supporters pointing to his defensive value, home run totals and long peak in Atlanta.

Candidates reached Cooperstown through BBWAA voting

The Baseball Writers' Association of America conducts the annual Hall of Fame election for recently retired players. Candidates must appear on at least 75% of submitted ballots to gain induction. The result this year produced a three-player class, with Beltran, Kent and Jones all clearing that threshold.

The announcement adds to the yearly Hall of Fame calendar that leads to induction ceremonies in Cooperstown, New York. For Houston readers, Beltran's selection is the closest local tie in this class because of his stint with the Astros and his place in one of the franchise's best postseason runs.

Induction weekend in Cooperstown is expected later this summer, when the new class will be formally honored alongside baseball's other Hall of Famers.

This article is a summary of reporting by France 24. Read the full story here.