In a historic ceremony on Sunday, the Baseball Hall of Fame inducted the Class of 2024, immortalizing four legendary figures in the annals of baseball history. Adrian Beltre, Todd Helton, Joe Mauer, and Jim Leyland were honored with their plaques unveiled in front of an ecstatic crowd filled with family, friends, and adoring fans.

First up was Todd Helton, the esteemed first baseman who spent his entire 17-year career with the Colorado Rockies. Regarded as the face of the franchise, Helton's impressive resume boasted four Silver Sluggers, three Gold Gloves, and an impressive 369 home runs. In an emotional speech, Helton thanked his wife Christy, who stood by his side throughout his entire baseball journey. He also expressed gratitude to his daughters and his mother, who he affectionately referred to as someone who had watched more baseball than most scouts. Helton's coaches, teammates, and Rockies owner Dick Monfort were acknowledged for their significant influence on his career.

Next in line was Adrian Beltre, one of the greatest third basemen of all time. Beltre, who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, and Texas Rangers, wore a Texas Rangers cap on his Hall of Fame plaque. The Dominican Republic native reminisced about his early days in baseball, from his childhood love for third base to being noticed by MLB scouts at a young age. He paid tribute to his coaches, teammates, and opponents, highlighting the impact of former Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez, whom he both played with and against. Beltre concluded his speech by expressing heartfelt gratitude to his three children and his wife, whom he credited as the true Hall of Famer.

Jim Leyland, a renowned manager with an incredible 1,769 wins across four different teams, spoke next. Leyland thanked baseball for bringing him immeasurable joy throughout his decades-long career. He expressed appreciation for his family, particularly his wife Katie, who he claimed kept him on his toes. Leyland emotionally reminisced about his interactions with fans, leading Team USA to a gold medal victory in the 2017 World Baseball Classic, and thanked all fans for their unwavering support.

Concluding the ceremony was Joe Mauer, the beloved catcher who dedicated his entire career to the Minnesota Twins. Mauer fondly remembered his family, especially his maternal grandparents, who attended every Twins home game during his 15-year tenure with the team. He gave a special shout-out to one of his high school coaches, whose guidance helped him become a three-time batting champion and the recipient of the 2009 AL MVP award. Mauer thanked the Twins organization, including his longtime manager Ron Gardenhire, and expressed gratitude to the fans who cheered him on throughout his career. He concluded his speech by acknowledging his wife and children, remarking on the "full-circle moment" of watching his son play little league baseball.

The induction of Adrian Beltre, Todd Helton, Joe Mauer, and Jim Leyland into the Baseball Hall of Fame is a testament to their exceptional contributions to the sport. Their plaques will forever stand as a reminder of their enduring impact on the game and their rightful place among baseball's greatest.