NEW YORK -- Carlos Beltrán¡¯s push to enter Cooperstown gained buoyancy on Tuesday, but the polarizing center fielder still must overcome a shortfall to reach the Hall of Fame.

Beltr¨¢n appeared on 70.3 percent of the Baseball Writers¡¯ Association of America ballots released Tuesday, falling just shy of the 75 percent needed for election. He was the top vote-getter who did not reach that threshold, garnering less support than electees Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner.

The results were a notable improvement for Beltr¨¢n, who appeared on 46.1 percent of ballots in 2023 and 57.1 percent last year. Barring a backslide, he stands an excellent chance of entering Cooperstown within the next few years. He is eligible for seven more ballot cycles.

On numbers alone, Beltr¨¢n¡¯s case was unimpeachable. A nine-time All-Star whose 20-year career included three Gold Glove Awards, five Top 20 MVP finishes, a World Series title and one of the finest postseason r¨¦sum¨¦s in Major League history, Beltr¨¢n is widely considered one of the top switch-hitters and defensive center fielders of his era. He has the second-most Wins Above Replacement (70.1) of any player on this year¡¯s ballot, behind Alex Rodr¨ªguez. The only primary center fielder with more career WAR not in the Hall of Fame is Mike Trout, an active player who appears destined for Cooperstown upon retirement.

But a bloc of voters has castigated Beltr¨¢n for his involvement in the 2017 Astros¡¯ sign-stealing scandal. The only player named in MLB¡¯s investigation, Beltr¨¢n surrendered his job as Mets manager following the release of MLB¡¯s report and has lost at least some Hall support because of it.

It does not appear that voters will permanently bar Beltr¨¢n from Cooperstown, however, the way they have Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens and appear set to do with Rodr¨ªguez, Manny Ram¨ªrez and others -- players who, on numbers alone, would be surefire Hall of Famers. Unlike members of that group, Beltr¨¢n has never been publicly linked to performance-enhancing substances. He has also shown enough life in his first three years on the ballot that his eventual induction seems likely.

How voters proceed with Beltr¨¢n could color the future cases of his 2017 Astros teammates, including Jos¨¦ Altuve, Alex Bregman and Carlos Correa.

The 1999 American League Rookie of the Year, Beltr¨¢n spent his first six and a half seasons in Kansas City before a Deadline deal sent him to Houston, where he hit 23 home runs in 90 games (plus another eight in 12 postseason games). It remains arguably the greatest Trade Deadline rental performance in MLB history.

That winter, Beltr¨¢n signed a seven-year, $119 million contract to join the Mets in New York, where he stayed for six and a half seasons. Another Deadline deal in 2011 sent Beltr¨¢n to the Giants, beginning the third act of his career. Over the next six years, Beltr¨¢n spent time with the Cardinals, Yankees, Rangers and Astros, amassing 133 homers and 175 doubles from his age-35 through age-40 seasons. He also won the elusive ring that wound up detracting from his legacy more than adding to it.

But again, the numbers: Among Hall of Fame center fielders, only Willie Mays, Ken Griffey Jr., Mickey Mantle and Andre Dawson have more career home runs than Beltr¨¢n¡¯s 435. Beltr¨¢n and Barry Bonds are the only players in MLB history to amass at least 400 homers, 300 stolen bases and 550 doubles.

Upon retiring as a player, Beltr¨¢n spent a year in the Yankees¡¯ front office before becoming Mets manager. He served just 77 days in that role before he and the club, facing pressure in the wake of the sign-stealing report, parted ways. Beltr¨¢n never managed a game.

Two years later, Beltr¨¢n resurfaced as an analyst for the YES Network. He subsequently returned to the Mets in an advisory role, which he has held the past two seasons. In 2024, Beltr¨¢n became a more visible part of the Mets¡¯ operation, occasionally traveling with the team and spending time conferencing with players.

If Beltr¨¢n is eventually inducted, it¡¯s uncertain whether there will be a Mets, Royals or blank cap on his plaque. He played more games (839) and amassed more WAR (31.1) in Queens than anywhere else, but he spent nearly as much time in Kansas City and offered significant contributions to five other teams.

Only four Puerto Rican-born players are in the Hall of Fame: Roberto Alomar, Orlando Cepeda, Roberto Clemente and Iv¨¢n Rodr¨ªguez.