Jun
3
2011

Beltran Acting Selfish Again, Pagan Feels Our Pain

An article by Craig Lerner

Carlos Beltran is at it again. He continues to go out of his way to say and do the wrong things, and this time he completely crossed the line and may have gone to far. Mike Sielski of the Wall Street Journal, explains this latest Beltran fiasco.

Apparently, Terry Collins intended to give Beltran a day off to try an give his right fielder a much needed break. Selfish as always, Beltran declined saying:

“I prefer to remain in the lineup. I want to be out there. Right now, we’re missing guys. I just feel that it’s my responsibility, at least, to put myself in the lineup, and maybe when we get guys back, if there’s an opportunity to get a day off and he asks me, then I will take it. But it’s not a good time.”

Outrageous!

After Thursday’s four RBI game, Beltran is batting .288 with a .908 OPS. Sielski says that both of those marks are higher than his career numbers in those categories. He has nine home runs and 32 RBIs in 54 games, a pace that will put him at 29 home runs and 104 RBI.

Meanwhile, Angel Pagan had an interesting response when Tara Sullivan of The Record asked him his thoughts about the possibility of Reyes playing his final days in a Mets uniform.

“He would love to stay in New York, but he has in his mind that his contract is up and he might wear another uniform next year. Right now he’s focused on playing hard every day and helping the team win. I bet the Mets fan can’t be having fun imagining the team without Jose and David. They are the face of the franchise. I hope that never happens.”

Honestly, and I’ve written this before, going into the season I was one of Jose’s sharpest critics. I just couldn’t see paying him $100 million dollars knowing that his wheels were his best asset. I’ve softened my stance since March, and these days I can’t even imagine this team without Jose Reyes. He made me a believer again.

About the Author: Craig Lerner

I'm a data analyst and researcher for a leading news agency who loves life and is hooked on the Mets. I love following the Amateur Draft and have a particular fondness for the Mets Minor Leagues who I follow each day. Give me a cold beer, a summer day, and a Mets game, and I'm good to go.

14 Comments + Add Comment

Mark V June 3, 2011 at 4:37 pm

Good article. I wish more of our guys would be that selfish. Didn’t see Bay deny his day off??? I just don’t get it with Bay?? He’s playing hard. Not laying back and all of a sudden he fogets how to hit?? after 10 + yr.s as a very good hitter??? What next for the Mets???
- Donal June 3, 2011 at 4:40 pm
  
  He changed his swing and it all went to hell. He’s the anti-Bautista
  - t agee June 4, 2011 at 8:56 am
    
    He’s lost bat speed. He can’t pull the trigger on the pitches he used to crush. Once every two weeks or so he’ll put a charge into a pitch, catch it just right but overall he’s finished as a hitter. Pitchers are getting him out with pitches he used to hit out. The high fastball especially. He now takes the middle up FB and can’t get his bat on the up and in one.
    
    Moving the fences in or lowering the wall isn’t going to make any differance. He’s not flying out to the warning track or banging the ball off the wall. Either is anyone else. You could bring the fences in 100 feet and Bay wouldn’t hit it out.
    
    Jason Bay (and Isringhausen) are very good illustrations of the Mets plan under the Wilpon to reliogously avoid players in their prime. Too young and too old is what they prefer.
- any June 3, 2011 at 4:53 pm
  
  Beltran asked to stay in because the team was shorthanded, and he knew they needed his help.
  
  bay took the day off for the same reason (knowing it would help the team!)
  - mark June 3, 2011 at 6:28 pm
    
    LOL… Good one Andy. Not much to laugh about this season with the Mets, but that made me LOL.
    thanks i needed that..
Donal June 3, 2011 at 4:40 pm

Beltran is also soft. He hits home runs so he doesn’t have to run the bases.
Des June 3, 2011 at 5:03 pm

I wish all the Mets were as selfish as Carlos Beltran. The man is a gem. He is the epitome of the anti-selfish man.
- t agee June 4, 2011 at 9:01 am
  
  Tell me about it Des. And then all he gets is grief from everyone over one AB. I also haven’t seen it mentioned anywhere about Jose hustling back in time for an afternoon game, after his grandmothers funeral.
Mary June 3, 2011 at 5:29 pm

That type of selfishness is much needed. The Beltrans, Wrights, Reyes and Dickeys are rare birds these days.
Matt June 3, 2011 at 11:20 pm

Man, that Beltran is a jerk…refusing to take a day off when his team is shorthanded! Selfish SOB.
Midwestern Met June 3, 2011 at 11:59 pm

If he had taken the day off yesterday, it would have wiped out the one bright spot of the whole homestand, that big comeback.

Same old story for the Mets: great start wiped out by late-inning collapse. Read all about the latest debacle: http://tiny.cc/912ry
Hodges14 June 4, 2011 at 12:39 pm

I totally agree with you Craig and I get where you’re coming from on Beltran. I hate all the negative stuff I see from people who knock him incessantly. But you do realize that the worst offender writes right here on this site POMES! How can you even tolerate being on the same site as him?? In my opinion the guy ruins this site and I know plenty who hate this site because of him.
- Donal June 4, 2011 at 2:22 pm
  
  He’s written like 2 articles this season. There are much better targets than him. Like actually paid sports media apes such as Francesa and Kay.
Stephen June 6, 2011 at 9:23 am

And when will all this end ??? What is wrong with the Media in NY..How can ANYBODY win in their eyes or pens… You take a day off because your banged up and your ” Soft” You accept a scheduled day off and you are not a “Team” player… You request to stay in a decimated lineup and your “Selfish” You are having a great year and you are ” Playing for a new contract ” No wonder eveybody wants out…

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