The Baseball Hall of Fame added three new members as Adrian Beltre, Todd, Helton, and Joe Mauer reached the needed 75% of votes. Mauer, Helton, and Beltre now have a spot in Cooperstown as one of the greatest to ever play the game, and righftully so.
Former Chicago Cubs legend, Jon Lester, spoke about Beltre being elected and what it meant to him. He had the following to say, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today:
“He’s such a great human being, really an incredible human being and incredible teammate."
Lester added that no matter the circumstance, he always saw Beltre on the field.
“I’ve never seen anything like him. He tore his hamstring, and still was out there trying to play. Just incredible.’’
The left-handed pitcher spent a good portion of his career with the Cubs and will go down as one of the best to ever put on a jersey. He helped deliver the city a World Series and for that, he'll always be remembered.
Lester could possibly find himself in Cooperstown one day, but he's not a guarantee like Beltre was. In his 16-year big league career, he posted a 3.66 ERA with 2,488 strikeouts. He was a five-time All-Star and three-time World Series Champion.
Beltre and Lester spent the 2010 season together with the Boston Red Sox. Lester finished fourth in Cy-Young voting that season and was named an All-Star for the first time in his career as he posted a 3.25 ERA.
The power-hitting Beltre was also a first-time All-Star that season, hitting 28 home runs and 49 doubles. Beltre won a Silver Slugger and finished top-10 in MVP voting.
While they didn't spend much time together on the field, Beltre and Lester seem to have mutual respect on and off the field.
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