Carlos Beltran's journey to Cooperstown has hit another snag, as he narrowly missed the 2025 Baseball Hall of Fame induction. The former MLB star received 70.3% of the vote from the Baseball Writers Association of America, falling just short of the required 75%. This marks the third consecutive year Beltran has been on the ballot, with his support steadily increasing from 46.5% in 2023 and 57.1% in 2024. Despite his impressive career statistics and contributions to multiple teams, Beltran continues to face scrutiny due to his association with the 2017 Astros sign-stealing scandal. Former Mets manager Terry Collins expressed frustration over this ongoing controversy, arguing that Beltran has already paid a heavy price for his involvement.

Beltran's illustrious 20-year career saw him play for several prominent teams, including the Mets, Royals, Yankees, Cardinals, Astros, Rangers, and Giants. His versatility as a switch-hitting outfielder and his ability to deliver clutch performances made him one of the most respected players in the league. Over his career, Beltran accumulated 435 home runs and 1,587 RBIs, maintaining a solid batting average of .279. Some of his most memorable years were spent with the Mets, where he played for seven seasons and helped the team reach the NLCS in 2006. That year, he achieved personal bests, hitting 41 home runs and driving in 115 RBIs while scoring 127 runs during the regular season.

The controversy surrounding Beltran stems from his role in the 2017 Astros sign-stealing scandal, which tarnished his reputation and led to the loss of his managerial position with the Mets in 2020. Despite not being a starting player during the scandal, many voters have held this incident against him. Terry Collins, who managed Beltran during his time with the Mets, believes that this issue has overshadowed Beltran's true legacy. Collins argues that the Hall of Fame is filled with players who benefited from various advantages, yet Beltran faces disproportionate criticism. "He’s a Hall of Fame player and he needs to be in the Hall of Fame," Collins emphatically stated.

Despite the setback, Beltran remains a celebrated figure in baseball history. His contributions to the sport, both on and off the field, are undeniable. With each passing year, the hope grows stronger that voters will recognize the full extent of his achievements and overlook past controversies. As supporters like Terry Collins continue to advocate for Beltran, the possibility of his eventual enshrinement in Cooperstown remains alive. The debate surrounding his candidacy highlights the complex nature of evaluating a player's legacy, especially when faced with ethical considerations.