Former Royals Carlos Beltrán, and James Shields are a part of the 26 gamers that will likely be on this yr’s poll for induction into the Baseball Corridor of Fame. It will likely be the second time on the poll for Beltrán, who obtained 46.5 p.c of the vote final yr and was doubtless harm by his involvement with the sign-stealing scandal in Houston. Shields is on the poll for the primary time. José Bautista, who briefly performed for the Royals, can also be on the poll for the primary time.
Beltrán loved a 20-year profession, together with seven seasons in Kansas Metropolis. He gained Rookie of the 12 months with the membership in 1999 with 22 house runs and 27 steals, exhibiting off his uncommon mix of energy and velocity. Apart from his injury-plagued 2000 season, Beltrán all the time hit at the least 20 house runs and stole at the least 25 bases in his different 5 full seasons with the Royals. He went to turn into a nine-time All-Star, three-time Gold Glove winner, and two-time Silver Slugger winner He collected 2,725 profession hits with 435 house runs and 312 steals in a profession with the Royals, Astros, Mets, Giants, Cardinals, Yankees, and Rangers. Solely 4 different gamers in baseball historical past have 400+ house runs and 300+ steals – Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, Willie Mays, and Andrew Dawson.
James Shields started his profession with the Rays, however was acquired by the Royals within the winter of 2012 in a daring commerce with Wade David and Elliot Johnson for Wil Myers, Jake Odorizzi, Mike Montgomery, and Patrick Leonard. He led the league in innings in 2013 and earned Cy Younger votes, and he gained 27 video games in his two seasons with the Royals, serving to to cause them to the playoffs in 2014, beginning the vital Wild Card sport in opposition to the Athletics. Shields pitched 13 seasons within the huge leagues, becoming a member of the Padres and White Sox after leaving the Royals, successful 145 video games with a 4.01 profession ERA.
The poll returns 13 gamers from final yr’s vote, together with Todd Helton who was on 72 p.c of ballots final yr. Gary Sheffield will likely be thought of for the ultimate time this yr. Along with Beltrán, Helton, and Sheffield, the opposite gamers that return on the poll embrace Bobby Abreu, Mark Buerhle, Andrew Jones, Andy Pettitte, Manny Ramirez, Alex Rodriguez, Francisco Rodriguez, Jimmy Rollins, Omar Vizquel, and Billy Wanger.
Adrian Beltre, Joe Mauer, and Chase Utley headline the checklist of newcomers on the poll. Bautista, who spent 13 video games with the Royals in 2004 earlier than changing into a house run champ in Toronto, can also be on the poll for the primary time. Different first-time candidates embrace Adrian Gonzalez, Matt Holliday, Victor Martinez, Brandon Phillips, Jose Reyes, and David Wright.
