Beltré and Mauer earned induction into the hallowed halls of Cooperstown on their very first year on the ballot — garnering 95.1 percent and 76.1 percent of the vote respectively. It was a much longer road for Todd Helton, who finally eclipsed the 75% threshold (with 79.7 percent) in his sixth season on the ballot. Billy Wagner fell just five votes short of induction — finishing with 73.8 percent of the vote in his ninth season of eligibility. He should be able to nose it over the finish line in his final year on the ballot. Gary Sheffield was unable to do so in his final year of eligibility, finishing at 63.9 percent. Andruw Jones saw his total slightly rise from 58.1 percent to 61.6 percent in his seventh year on the ballot. Carlos Beltran was the only other player with over 50 percent of the vote — getting 57.1 percent in his second year on the ballot.

The Rangers were open to bringing Beltre back for less money and in a lesser role, but the 39-year-old third baseman opted to call it a career. He sails into the sunset with a .286/.339/.480 slash line, 477 home runs and 84 fWAR, thanks largely to stellar defense at the hot corner.

Beltre will be a free agent this winter with the Rangers unwilling to extend him a qualifying offer, but the organization remains open to bringing the 39-year-old back at the right price if he's interested. in returning to Texas. Injuries have hampered Beltre in both of the past two seasons, so expect him to handle a part-time role at third base and/or log more extensive time at designated hitter in 2019 if he elects to join an American League club this offseason.

Beltre sat out Thursday's contest due to a lingering hip injury, but the issue was apparently a minor one as he missed just a single day. He's expected to play in each of the final three games of the season, games which could be the final ones of the 39-year-old's career.