Key Details on the 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame Induction

Baseball Hall of Fame 2026 Induction Ceremony

Carlos Beltrán, Andruw Jones, and Jeff Kent were inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame on July 24, 2026. This ceremony featured some of the greatest outfielders of their era and the best power-hitting second baseman in MLB history.

Watching the Ceremony

The induction ceremony began at 1:30 p.m. ET and was broadcast exclusively on MLB Network. Coverage started at 11 a.m., with a simulcast stream becoming available at 1 p.m. It was also streamed on MLB.com and the MLB App, as well as broadcast on SiriusXM MLB Network Radio. Expected to last between two to three hours, the ceremony was also available for viewing at https://baseballhall.org/.

Location of the Ceremony

The event took place at the Clark Sports Center on lower Susquehanna Avenue, one mile south of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, N.Y.

Attendee Information

More than 25,000 fans typically attend the ceremony. Lawn seating for the event remained unlimited and free, although weather conditions were to be considered given the outdoor setting. The weather in July can be hot in Cooperstown, so attendees were advised to bring caps and sunscreen. Refreshments were available for purchase, and professional interpreters were provided for the hearing impaired. Service dogs were welcome, as long as they were on a leash or harness.

Inductees Overview

Carlos Beltrán and Andruw Jones were elected by the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA), while Jeff Kent gained induction via the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee. Players needed at least 75% support from ballots submitted by BBWAA voters for induction. Beltrán received 84.2% of votes, thereby making him the third Mets player inducted and the sixth Puerto Rican in Hall history.

Beltrán's notable career included being a nine-time All-Star, winning three Gold Gloves and two Silver Sluggers, and achieving over 400 home runs and 300 stolen bases.

Andruw Jones, revered as one of the best defensive center fielders, made a major impact early in his career, and after 17 seasons and 434 home runs, he earned 78.4% support in his ninth year on the BBWAA ballot.

Jeff Kent, a 20th-round Draft pick in 1989, transformed his game after joining the Giants. He is known for leading all second basemen with 351 home runs and driving in a total of 1,518 runs during his career.

Additional Honors

Joe Buck received the Ford C. Frick Award for broadcasting excellence, Paul Hoynes was honored with the BBWAA Career Excellence Award for his extensive coverage of the Cleveland Indians/Guardians, and Bill White was given the Buck O'Neil Lifetime Achievement Award.