The Baseball Hall of Fame welcomed four new members as Adrian Beltre, Joe Mauer, Todd Helton, and Jim Leyland were officially inducted in a ceremony held in Cooperstown, N.Y. Each inductee delivered heartfelt speeches, sharing their journeys and expressing gratitude to those who supported them along the way.

Todd Helton, the first inductee, spent his entire 17-year career with the Colorado Rockies. He thanked his former teammate Larry Walker, his wife Christy, his daughters, and his mother and brother for their unwavering support. Helton also expressed gratitude to his coaches, Rockies manager Clint Hurdle, Rockies owner Dick Monfort, and the 411 teammates he had over the years. Helton’s speech was filled with touching anecdotes and appreciation for those who influenced his career.

Next was Adrian Beltre, a 21-year veteran who retired in 2018. Entering the Hall with a Texas Rangers cap, Beltre also spent time with the Dodgers, Mariners, and Red Sox. He reminisced about his early days in the Dominican Republic and his journey to MLB stardom. Beltre thanked coaches and teammates from each team he played for, with special mentions of Felix Hernandez and Elvis Andrus. He concluded his speech with a heartfelt thank you to his three children and his wife, whom he referred to as the “real Hall of Famer.”

Jim Leyland, inducted as a manager, began his career as a minor leaguer for the Detroit Tigers 61 years ago. Known for his passionate and motivating style, Leyland thanked baseball for the joy it brought him. He expressed deep gratitude to his wife Katie, his children, and countless colleagues and players throughout his career. Leyland became emotional when recalling his friendships with Pirates fans, his Team USA victory at the 2017 World Baseball Classic, and his appreciation for baseball fans everywhere.

The final inductee, Joe Mauer, spent his entire career with the Minnesota Twins. Mauer thanked his family, including his maternal grandparents who attended every Twins home game during his 15-year career. He credited a high school coach for teaching him a crucial batting approach and expressed appreciation for his longtime manager Ron Gardenhire and Twins fans. Mauer ended his speech by thanking his wife, twin daughters, and young son, Chip, noting the joy of watching Chip play little league baseball.

With the induction speeches concluded, the Baseball Hall of Fame enters its quietest period, with no voting or planning until the names for the next ballot are announced later this year. The date for next year’s induction ceremony has been set for Sunday, July 27, 2025.