Carlos Beltran at the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony, July 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Nine-time MLB All-Star Carlos Beltran accepted his sport’s highest honor when he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, on Sunday, joining Jeff Kent and Andruw Jones in the 2026 class.
Beltran — the sixth player raised in Puerto Rico to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame — played in 20 major-league seasons with seven different clubs, but he’s perhaps best known for his 6.5 seasons with the New York Mets. He made five of his nine All-Star appearances as a Met, and he chose to enter the Hall of Fame representing the team.
>> Subscribe to Sports Spectrum Magazine for more stories where sports & faith connect <<
“First of all, I just want to thank God for this opportunity to be here today,” Beltran said to begin his speech on Sunday. “There is no doubt that this is incredible, to be surrounded by so many greats.”
Beltran burst onto the scene in 1999, winning AL Rookie of the Year with the Kansas City Royals. The switch-hitting outfielder is one of just four players in major-league history to compile at least 400 homers, 300 steals and three Gold Golves, with the others being Willie Mays, Barry Bonds and Andre Dawson.
Beltran ended his career on top, winning his only World Series with the Houston Astros in 2017 before announcing his retirement that November. He also won the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award in 2013.
But Beltran said in his speech that he didn’t play the game simply for personal accolades.
“When God gives you the platform to be an athlete, it’s not only about playing the sport,” he said. “It’s about using the platform that God has given you to do well for others.”
His faith in God was a repeated theme in Beltran’s speech, and he again mentioned God in one of the most poignant moments in the speech.
“Never — not even once — I dreamed about standing here today,” he said. “Next to this plaque, I see a God who never stopped showing me grace through my career. I see my parents, who give me their best. I see my brothers, my family, my whole family. I see my children. When I see this plaque, I see [my wife Jessica], who never stopped believing in me.
“I see my coaches. I see my teammates. I see my fans, my little league coaches. I see the students of the Carlos Beltran Baseball Academy in Puerto Rico, pursuing their dreams through education and baseball. I see my island, Puerto Rico.”
Shortly after signing with the Mets in 2005, Beltran was featured in Sports Spectrum Magazine, where he shared his testimony of becoming a Christian. After a home game with the Royals in 2001, Beltran and his wife were invited by veteran teammate Luis Alicea to speak with a pastor from Puerto Rico, who prayed for the couple and led them to surrender to God and embrace Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
“It was the biggest decision that I ever made,” Beltran told Sports Spectrum. “It’s not that everything is perfect now or that my wife and I don’t have struggles anymore, but it’s been easier going through it with Christ in our lives.”
Beltran grew up around Christianity, knowing about God but not submitting his whole life to Him. After his conversion, he noticed that his thoughts and desires began to change and more closely align with the will of God. His prayer life flourished, and his game-day routine included plenty of Bible reading and reflection in addition to chapel services.
It’s a faith that he carried with him to every stop in his lengthy career. And now, of course, to the Hall of Fame.
“Everything that we do is for God,” Beltran said in the magazine. “In our life, there is nothing as important as Him. The only thing that really matters is our faith. I feel He put me here for a reason. Every time I take the field, I tell Him, ‘I’m doing this in Your name.’
“When I want to accomplish things, I feel like I can. But it’s not for myself, but for Him and His glory.”
RELATED STORIES:
— Carlos Beltran announces retirement from baseball
— GET IN THE GAME: Billy Wagner – 2025 Baseball Hall of Fame
— SS PODCAST: Former WS MVP Ben Zobrist on faith, depression
— Reds rookie Sal Stewart leads Cincy, knows ‘identity is in Christ’
— All-Star pitcher Parker Messick gives Jesus ‘all glory and honor’
