Unique Facts About the Hall of Fame Class of 2024Unique Facts About the Hall of Fame Class of 2024 On Sunday, Adrian Beltre, Todd Helton, Joe Mauer, and Jim Leyland received their formal inductions into Cooperstown. Here are some lesser-known facts about this esteemed group: Adrian Beltre: A Two-Way Force * Beltre joins an exclusive club of players with at least 3,000 hits, 1,700 RBI, and 450 home runs. * He is only the fourth player to combine that offensive prowess with five or more Gold Glove awards. Joe Mauer: A Contact Machine * Mauer struck out only once in 222 plate appearances during his high school career. * He maintained his impressive contact skills throughout his career, posting a .306 batting average with just 1,110 strikeouts. Todd Helton: A Clutch Performer * Helton’s clutch hitting was unparalleled, ranking second all-time in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and OPS in two-strike counts. * With a .316 batting average, 369 home runs, and 1,406 RBI, he is one of only seven players to achieve these milestones in MLB history. Jim Leyland: A Managerial Mastermind * Leyland managed for 22 seasons, winning three pennants and a World Series. * He amassed 1,769 career victories with four different teams, joining an elite group of managers to win 700 or more games with multiple franchises. * Despite his tough exterior, Leyland is known for his exceptional baseball acumen and ability to connect with his players.
On Sunday, Adrian Beltre, Todd Helton, Joe Mauer and Jim Leyland received their formal inductions into Cooperstown. Here are some unique facts about the Hall of Fame class of 2024.
Adrian Beltre is one of the best two-way players ever
For 21 seasons in the Major Leagues, Beltre was the dictionary definition of a two-way player. Now, rightfully in Cooperstown, he will go down in history as one of the greatest players the game has ever seen.
Only 10 players have at least 3,000 hits, 1,700 RBI and 450 home runs. Beltre, however, is only the fourth to win five or more Gold Glove awards, after Willie Mays (12), Dave Winfield (7) and Carl Yastrzemski (7).
Not bad for a player who didn’t become an All-Star until his 13th MLB season.
Joe Mauer struck out just one batter in high school
Before he blazed a trail to Cooperstown, Mauer was arguably the nation’s best player at Cretin High in St. Paul, where he struck out just one batter in 222 plate appearances. Meanwhile, the future MVP benefited from the contact he almost always made, posting an incredible .567 batting average.
A year after his lone strikeout in high school, Mauer was selected No. 1 overall in the MLB Draft and went on to win six Silver Slugger Awards, three batting titles, three Gold Gloves and an MVP Award. Fittingly, he reunited with his nemesis, Paul Feiner, in 2023 before being inducted into the Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame.
Todd Helton is one of the clutch hitters in baseball history
Helton is one of only seven players in MLB history to have at least 369 home runs and 1,406 RBIs while finishing with a .316 or better batting average. But while his prowess at the plate is well-known, his ability to get into the clutch is perhaps underrated.
Helton is worthy of the Hall on numbers alone and was arguably one of the best pressure hitters in baseball history. In two-strike counts, he ranks second all-time in batting average (.258), on-base percentage (.345), slugging percentage (.426) and OPS (.771), with 129 home runs (24th) and 548 RBI (7th).
Few matched the success and longevity of Jim Leyland
Leyland was known for burning a dart or two in the dugout and his infamous altercation with Barry Bonds. But for all the gruff, old-fashioned exterior, there was a manager who just got it, exemplified by a long, successful career that few managers have been able to match.
Leyland managed for 22 years, winning three pennants and a World Series and amassing 1,769 career victories with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Florida Marlins, Colorado Rockies and Detroit Tigers. Meanwhile, he is one of only five managers in baseball history to win 700 or more games with two or more franchises, the Pirates (851) and Detroit Tigers (700), joined only by Sparky Anderson, Bruce Bochy, Terry Francona and Tony La Russa.
