ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — When the Texas Rangers retired Adrián Beltré’s No. 29 jersey the season after the third baseman played his final game, the celebration included messages from George Brett, Mike Schmidt and Chipper Jones.

All those Hall of Fame third basemen told Beltré that night in 2019 they would see him in Cooperstown as soon as he became eligible for election.

“You will be first ballot. … Can’t wait to sit behind you when you’re making your speech,” Schmidt said in his video message.

Beltré was among 12 first-timers and 26 players overall on the ballot for the Class of 2024 that will be revealed Tuesday. A four-time All-Star with 3,166 hits and 477 homers, his 2,759 games played at third base are fewer than only Brooks Robinson’s total.

“I don’t know how I’m going to feel,” Beltré said when asked about that possibility of being a first-ballot pick. “If it happens, when it happens, I’ll see how I’ll react and see how I’m going to enjoy it.”

While he often displayed an intimidating scowl — including when teammates touched his head — Beltré was beloved in the clubhouse and truly enjoyed playing the game over 21 big league seasons. He debuted in 1998 at only 19 years old and excelled throughout a career filled with big hits, including several home runs hit off one knee. His slick fielding provided defensive highlights at the hot corner.

Players who get 75% of the votes submitted by Dec. 31 will make the Hall, and Beltré has consistently been well above that threshold according to Ryan Thibodaux’s Hall of Fame ballot tracker. Beltré was listed on 98.9% of 177 ballots, an estimated 46% of the total.