14
2011
Enjoy Carlos Beltran While He’s Still Here
An article by 
Carlos Beltran has never been many things. He’s never been the most popular player on the Mets. He’s never been a media darling. He’s never been the vocal rah-rah type of leader some teams have. He’s never had to be any of these people because for years, Beltran has let his play on the field do the talking for him. Yet he still has his critics.
There are some fans who will never forgive him for keeping the bat on his shoulders against Adam Wainwright. Others have difficulties with Beltran for getting injured and playing when he’s only been 85% healthy. Some fans blame him for anything they can think of, hiding behind the hash tags of #BlameBeltran on Twitter (even though the hash tag was originally created to be ironic).
The Wilpons’ financial problems? #BlameBeltran. Angel Pagan’s poor start before getting injured? #BlameBeltran. Chicken nacho stand at Citi Field out of nachos? #BlameBeltran.
It has almost gotten to the point that Beltran has become the scapegoat for any little negative blip on the Mets’ radar. Yet through all this, the Mets’ rightfielder has continued to give his best effort on the field, not allowing the negativity surrounding the team and their fans affect his production.
The latest example of this came last night in Colorado. With a lineup featuring Willie Harris as the No. 2 hitter, slumping Jason Bay batting cleanup, and Daniel Murphy and Justin Turner hitting fifth and sixth, respectively, the Mets appeared to lack punch. So what did Carlos Beltran do about it? He blasted three home runs off three different pitchers, with one coming from the left side of the plate, one from the right side and one from the mole side.
Beltran now has 20 extra-base hits on the season. His 12 doubles lead the league (tied with Jose Reyes, among others) and his eight home runs are one more than he hit last year after he returned from the disabled list at the All-Star Break. He has done this despite the fact that he missed most of spring training (playing in only three Grapefruit League games) and had to adjust to a new defensive position on the field.
Carlos Beltran is playing for a new contract in 2012. The last time he was playing for baseball security was in 2004 when he split his season between the Kansas City Royals and the Houston Astros. That year, he finished the regular season with 38 HR and 42 SB and then put up the type of dominant numbers in the post-season that are usually reserved for the 14-year-old mustachioed kid on a pre-teen Little League team.
Some might say that Beltran’s quick start for the Mets in 2011 is because of the walk year factor. If that’s the case, then what was his motivation for the 2006 to 2008 seasons, which rank among the best three-year stretches of any player in franchise history? In 2009, Beltran was hurt for most of the season, but still managed to play 81 games (exactly half the season). Even with his extended stay at the DL Hotel, he still reached double figures in home runs and stolen bases, while hitting a career-high .325, scoring 50 runs and driving in 48. In other words, he was on pace for a typical Carlos Beltran season.
Last year, he was hurt again and might have returned too quickly from his injury. However, he turned his game up a notch in September, hitting five of his seven home runs in the final month of the season and raising his batting average from the Mendoza Line to .255 at season’s end.
So yes, playing for a new contract has brought out the best in Carlos Beltran (as it would for any major leaguer), but so has good health. He didn’t have that in each of the past two seasons. Mets fans are now being treated to a healthy Carlos Beltran for the first time in three years.
There will always be people out there who will never like Beltran even if he saved their one-of-a-kind John Cena action figure from a house fire. I feel bad for those people. Instead of bad-mouthing a player who has been through all the ups and downs of the past seven seasons, giving his best on the field whenever he’s been healthy enough to play on it, they should be enjoying watching him play during his renaissance season.
More than likely, this will be Beltran’s final season (or half-season if he’s traded) with the Mets. Over the years, he has been one of the most complete players to ever put on the orange and blue, but at the same time, he has also been one of the most underappreciated players. It’s time to give Carlos Beltran the appreciation he deserves. Let’s stop trying to find new ways to #BlameBeltran and enjoy our rightfielder while he’s still here. You never know. It may be some time before a player of his caliber graces our outfield again.
About the Author: Ed Leyro
Ed Leyro was hatched in the Bronx, but spent most of his youth in Queens at Shea Stadium. Apparently, all that time spent at Mets games paid off as Ed met his wife (The Coop) for the first time at Citi Field during its inaugural season. Guess the 2009 season was good for something after all. In addition to his work at Mets Merized Online, Ed also owns, operates and is head janitor at Studious Metsimus, where he shares blogging duties with Joey Beartran. For those not in the know, Joey is a teddy bear dressed in a Mets hoodie. Clearly, Studious Metsimus is not your typical Mets blog.
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NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braves | 24 | 18 | .571 | - |
| Nationals | 23 | 20 | .535 | 1.5 |
| Phillies | 20 | 23 | .465 | 4.5 |
| Mets | 16 | 24 | .400 | 7.0 |
| Marlins | 11 | 32 | .256 | 13.5 |
Last updated: 05/18/2013
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Fantastic Post Ed. You already know my feelings on Don Carlos
Nice post Ed.
I agree Fans should try to enjoy Beltran and games like yesterday. Leave the other stuff at the door and just try to enjoy the game.
Couldn’t agree more. I’ll never understand the Beltran haters.
I, for one, will miss him when he’s gone. Don’t get too many 5 tool players all that often.
I have always liked Carlos Beltran. I think the people that will only remember him being called out on strikes in 2006 don’t remember that there were plenty of opportunities for the Mets to have scored during that game. I always remember Cliff Floyd being asked to hit with a runner on first and second and Willie put him there to hit a home run instead of bunting the runners over. I remember thinking REALLY?
When healthy Carlos is a force to be reckoned with. However, the last 2 years that has not been the case. It doesn’t mean he wasn’t good. I will miss him when he is gone!
Great post Ed.
BEST ceterfielder we have EVER had and one of the best players also.
Enjoy.
Great to read something that is well written and that makes perfect sense. You could almost see this coming just based on what Beltran showed last September. And all those who doubted him and said he was finished, were dead wrong. Teams will be lining up for a chance to add Beltran to their team at the deadline and Alderson’s phone will be ringing off the hook.
That said, if the Mets are within 8-9 games of a wild card spot with 12 weeks left to play, and Alderson has a fire sale in July, fans should revolt and petition the team to fire him.
Sign Reyes before he becomes a free agent. See if Beltran would take a 2 year deal with incentive bonuses and offer it to him. Becuase the cold hard facts are that he is ten times better than any other Mets outfielder on the current team or in the minors. Nu Mets outfielder are worthy of even being in his presence.
Why don’t you start the revolt and petition right now Maniac. That’s what you’ve wanted ever since he got hired. Why wait? Knot the noose, go on facebook Fire Alderson.com Maybe we’ll get lucky and Jeff will take over full time. That’ll save some cash, maybe we could get the guy who spent 26 M on Perez, 24 M on Castillo and 80 M on Bay, a #1 draft choice on Alou, and traded two #1 draft choices for Carter to assist him.
Yeah that’s a good idea. That worked out really well.
What a surprise. It’s my butt sniffing, turd loving friend, on cue as always. They are having a job fair at the LaGuardia Sheraton today in case youre interested.
I agree Ed and I wish it would extend to the rest of the guys who are playing well too!
It seems lately everyone is looking for excuses to get rid of anyone who has a BA above .250!
Why? To save Wilpon money? really?
I used to be one of those guys who wouldn’t forgive Carlos for taking strike 3. I still think he should have swung, but I realize now that without him we wouldn’t have been a game from the World Series in the first place.
I know it’s out of the question, but I wouldn’t mind seeing Alderson pick him up for another year or two in the offseason.
midwesternmet.blogspot.com
twitter.com/midwesternmet
Midwestern, I agree with you that Beltran should have swung the bat. The question then and the question after was that of effort. When you’re playing in the New York area the expectation is for your coming through in the clutch. That, in the eyes of some, is hwy you’re getting paid the big dollars. Reggie Jackson earned his and produced on the big stage and gained the title, “Mr. October.” Beltran, at this stage with the Mets, is a talented, professional baseball player. His low key personality and team failures at winning, makes him appear like “Mr. May to August.” That can only be turned around by taking this team to a WS Championship. That looks highly unlikely now.
it has been said many times, but it means it is correct… The most under-rated Mets player in the past six years by a long shot.
“with one coming from the left side of the plate, one from the right side and one from the mole side”
The Mole Side, that was a great line Ed lol
There is no denying Beltran is still a very very good player however the problem for me is that as good as a player as Beltran still is, he’s even better at taking care of himself at the expense of the team.
What is Beltran’s option 17 million? We know Beltran is going to hit
.280 24+ 100+ 90+runs this year…
What is that worth? 17 million may be a bargain for those numbers considering Jason Werth’s contract and what Beltran would command in free agency.
Agh. whats the use even considering it. No way the Mets sign Beltran…
I’ll take those numbers in 2012 for a 1/17 contract.
Great post and I agree with everything you said. He will never the get the true appreciation from Mets fans. I hope his hot streak continues so we can get some good prospects in return. Obviously the Mets have no intention of resigning him.
B E A UTIFUL!
I think the Mets will trade Carlos Beltran and their prospect outfielders Kirk Nieuwenhuis and Cesar Puello to the Indians for Shin-Soo Choo.
God no
Yes.