29
2011
The Last Time Ever I Saw His Face: My Tumultuous Relationship With Carlos Beltran
An article by 
“Not quite as sad as when the Mets traded Seaver. But sad nonetheless.” ~ Stuff My Dad Texts
(No, literally, my dad sent me this text Wednesday night)
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I was upset last week.
The Mets were not in town that much in the month of July, and I couldn’t make any of the games. That’s not exactly true. I was able to make one Saturday game and the Monday night makeup game against the Marlins.
And I was upset. The reason being was I wasn’t able to see Carlos Beltran play in what seemed to be his last home series wearing a Mets uniform. He didn’t play the games I went to because he had been battling a flu bug. Plus I could not get to any of the games later in the week.
Considering I had no plans to go to Miami or Cincinnati in that time period, and I had no desire to go to Washington, D.C. (though there would be a long shot he’d not be with the team at that point), the last time I had seen Beltran in a Mets uniform was in…Texas. Ballpark at Arlington, to be exact.
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Carlos Beltran hasn’t had an easy relationship with what I like to call the “vocal minority” of the fan base, and it certainly wasn’t easy for me when he first came to the Mets in 2005. I immediately liked the signing, but had a hard time connecting with him.
But what really pissed me off was in 2006, he cited his lack of production as being a result of feeling “85%.”
Uh, what the huh? Especially since it seemed like a surprise to those in charge.
I didn’t really trust him after that, especially when the “player’s managers” they had at the time would let Beltran pull rank and bench himself when he wasn’t feeling, as he called it, 100%. I got frustrated, because I remember a time when a Met would play with a limb hanging off in order to beat another team.
Beltran seemed indicative of the new baseball player, one where he put himself above a common team goal. We see it with Alex Rodriguez, but he wins MVP awards, so he could theoretically let it slide.
I hated him for it then, the excuses.
I understood better why he did it later on. He wanted to play, and not take a DL stint. That’s how badly he wanted to play. But I have to wonder if his reluctance to do so early in his time with the Mets might have doomed him later on, especially in 2009 and 2010.
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The trip to Arlington pretty much planned itself out. I go on as many baseball trips each year, and this was a park I was dying to visit, plus we had a huge contingent of Mets fans in that region of the country, that it seemed a foregone conclusion that we’d be going there.
It was also significant because a friend of ours – MMO’s very own Kelly Horn – is not only a Mets fan but a BIG Beltran fan, and she would get to see him play live.
So when my husband and I realized we were going to be at an event with Beltran there, we decided to send Kelly a message, via Carlos himself.
She swears, she screamed when she saw the photo. The trip would be good friends, good times and visiting a new park.
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One item of contention we hear from people, from the “Anti-Beltran” crowd, is that he didn’t take a curtain call after a home run in 2006. It took Grandpa Julio Franco to convince him to acknowledge that fans wanted to see him.
Up to that point, Beltran hadn’t done much to endear himself to the fans. His first year was all right, but not the 7-year contract, $119mm worth we thought we were getting.
I actually didn’t care much about it at the time – I actually thought it was kind of funny. Recently, in the Beltran retrospectives, we’d heard grumblings about how he didn’t connect with the fans, that the incident weighed heavily on his stature with the fans.
I know why he didn’t do it, and in fact, it gives me more respect for him. First off, people who held a grudge over something that happened five years ago need to get a grip. Secondly, Beltran wanted to feel the love from fans, and this was insincere. Just the day before (and I remember, because I was there), the fans booed him – BOOED HIM! He made a comment after this particular game that he’s our friend in bad times, and friend in good times.
Good for him for not wanting to take the curtain call. But I’m glad he did it.
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I remember being very scared that Beltran would be traded prior to the Arlington trip, having Kelly miss her hero play.
People told me I was crazy – that the Mets would never ever trade Beltran…he was owed too much money….he wouldn’t do that well this year anyway.
I said, not so fast. A team desperate enough to want to go for it all this year would totally “rent” him. Plus, he’s got a no-arb clause in his contract. He’s as good as gone.
I didn’t want to see him go, but it’s a business, sadly, and this wasn’t personal. I just wanted him to hold on till Texas though.
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The rest of 2006 was a blur. Beltran taking strike three to end the NLCS was a punch in the gut to most Mets fans. I was even optimistic then. At the beginning of the season, I had told someone “we’d be lucky to win the Wild Card.” I had no feeling they would run away with the division, which they did.
I hated when people, especially those who watched the whole series, would blame Beltran for the last out. In my estimation, the Mets should not have even BEEN in that position. There was a series dynamic change in Game 2, and several opportunities to win Game 7. The fact is, the Mets played so as not to lose, not “to win.” That was the difference there. That was far from just Beltran’s fault. I mean, would it have been better to swing and miss? Would we feel better?
By 2008, we all know how the story goes for the Mets. Yet, I saw something the last day of 2008 that I hadn’t seen before.
Beltran cared.
He hit a home run. He looked legitimately pissed off when the Mets lost that game. This was not the “New Mets” he signed up for, but rather the Same Ol’ Mets we were used to seeing.
It was something that made me Team Beltran. I even predicted he would be the NL MVP in 2009.
Until his knees, once again, failed him, and he missed a majority of the season.
I missed Beltran so much (even more so than Reyes, also out that season) that when he was rehabbing in Brooklyn with the Cyclones, I went down to see him. I felt like I was visiting an old friend.
I thought about redemption in 2010. Didn’t happen. Also hurt, opted for surgery, made to look like the bad guy because of it. I was excited to see him again on the road in his return, at AT&T Park in San Francisco. Ironic, huh, that he will be playing there for at least the rest of 2011.
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Kelly told us to enjoy ourselves, but after careful deliberation she would not be able to make it to Dallas to see her hero, Carlos.
So we went with the rest of our summer family and had fun. I spent most of the time trying to locate shade and water (it was freaking hot there), and the parts of the game I did see, especially the Saturday game when the Mets were scoring lots of runs, were entertaining.
I think I might have thought about Beltran being traded a few times, but it didn’t occur to me this would be the last time I’d see him live in a Mets uniform at all. I guess I hadn’t thought that far into the future. Otherwise, like the majority of his time here, I’d have appreciated those last games in Texas more.
Here I was so concerned that he’d be traded before that series, it didn’t occur to me that it would definitely happen a month after that series.
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I even entertained the idea, had the stars aligned correctly, to drive down to DC if he was still with the team after the Reds series. I knew it might have been a long shot, but it could be done. And I’d get to say goodbye, not realizing that with his no-trade clause, the deal had to take place more than one day prior to the trade deadline.
Rats.
I wasn’t nearly as big of a Carlos Beltran fan as my friend Kelly is/was, but I got to see him live and didn’t appreciate him until it was almost too late. People like her, and my husband and other fans probably recognized how special and good he was much earlier than I did. For me, it wasn’t too little too late, but I wish I hadn’t spent so much time vilifying him for stuff that wasn’t entirely his fault.
In the meantime, I wish Carlos Beltran the best of luck with his future and potentially in the postseason this year. However, with every end, comes a new beginning. My dad was right when he said it was sad, but it’s also a time of great hope. When Beltran signed with the Mets in 2005, it was the “New Mets.” That never came to fruition, unfortunately. With Zack Wheeler and potential for the future, this could signify a new New Mets. Beltran’s entrance capped the lousy years and departure leaves us with the future.
Last year, I warned the naysayers they’ll miss him when he’s gone. With the Mets looking like they had before he left, it may not be right away exactly. But it will be something Mets fans won’t appreciate till they see it with 20/20 hindsight.
While visiting Texas was one of the most fun Mets trips I have ever been on, I’ll remember it as the last time I saw Carlos Beltran play in a Mets uniform where I was in attendance. I hope San Francisco realizes they not only have a great city, but they have a great Met too.
About the Author: Taryn Cooper
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There are pics with Ronnie and KB…still working on Gary (may happen soon, lol – he’s aware of the Howie photo and thinks it’s a riot)
Big Beltran fan and I loved your post except for your beginning where I feel you might of fell under the media trance who first suggested Beltran was soft and selfish and still today many Mets fans under that spell.
Beltran played in 151 games in 2005, missing only 11 games all year and six of those games missed was because of his near career ending collision with Mike Cameron. 157 games played in 2010 was well above the average for outfielders in the NL. He had 650 plate appearances but was treated as though it was more like 300.
Omar Minaya and everyone else knew there was already a developing issue with arthritis in one of his knees but signed him anyway. Yet the player gets blamed and targeted for simply agreeing to the contract he was offered.
That entire 2005 the hate brigade was formed by the faction who saw Beltran as the centerpiece to what would be known as Los Mets, the media crucified him and more haters jumped on the bandwagon.
Because of that knee and his collision plus the stress of that big contract and playing in New York his first season was less than stellar. He batted .266, one point lower than he did in 2004 his walk year, but got blasted anyway.
Meanwhile Jason Bay enjoys the sympathy and adoration of Mets Nation for two lousy years of production getting paid the same annual salary Beltran got in 2005. Go figure. Bay isn’t the focus of hate-infused talk shows ever day like Beltran was.
Bays concussion was deemed to be more sympathetic than Beltran’s concussion who was back to work in a week.
Beltran had 20 doubles in first half and was on pace for 40 2B and 22 HR at Shea Stadium which was unforgiving to line drive power hitters like Beltran so his homeruns dipped and his doubles spiked. It was hardly a terrible season in that department. After he came back from the collision he only hit 3 homeruns and 7 double the rest of the season. He wasn’t afforded the excuse bay got that he was coming back from a serious head trauma.
From Mets.com:
Beltran eventually left the field under his own power, but he was escorted. At one point, he was seated on a table in the trainers’ room, leaning back against the wall, occasionally shaking his head. Beltran later acknowledged he had little memory of the episode or its immediate aftermath. “After a collision like that,” he said, “I feel lucky.” He later said, “I’m dizzy,” as he walked slowly across the clubhouse.
Classic symptoms of a concussion is loss of memory, dizziness, loss of balance, but the crack medical team announced Beltran would be back in two days while Cameron was out for the season. When Beltran didn’t come back until six days, he was greeted by boos and more hate in the media for being soft.
Fast forward to 2006. Beltran hits a game winning homerun but refused to go out for a curtain call. Of course he did. He was happy for his teammates, but why should he go out and tip his little cap to a stadium full of undeserving, unsympathetic, ill-informed, unappreciative horde of clods? Beltran was visibly upset and on the verge of tears as Franco pleaded with him to go out and acknowledge the fans. How would you feel in his place when you gave it your all, played hurt, produced at the same level as before he was signed, and then get trashed daily for it and booed? If I were him I( would have walked out of the dugout, spit on the ground and gone back to the bench with my teammates. That’s what the fans of New York deserved that day.
Yesterday I never saw Beltran smile and laugh as much as he did in his press conference. The Giants fans are all thrilled to have him and a city has opened their arms for him. He’s finally somewhere where his talents will be appreciated and they don’t treat their stars like bird droppings.
Hey Hodges, I just want to state up front that my feelings on Beltran at first were mine, and mine alone. I didn’t have to listen to the media to come up with my own biases, which I admit were wrong. I wasn’t so much in the “Beltran is soft” population as “Beltran is overpaid and who does he think he is – A-Rod?” kind of crowd. Another thing that pissed me off then was his propensity to sit on the bench when he wasn’t 100%. I know better now why he did it but at the time, I admit it irked me because it seemed to hurt the team. Like I said, in 2006, there was an important Braves series and he sat out a game voluntarily b/c he was at 85%. I grew up in the ’80s where guys like Hernandez or HoJo would play with limbs barely attached to beat the Cards. As you see though, I came around on Beltran and see the err of my ways. I know people like Pomes will never see that (lol) but looking back with 20/20 hindsight, I have a greater appreciation for Carlos and he will go down as one of my favorite mets of all time.
Sorry for running on like that on you Coop, no offense intended. I didnt realize I wrote so much until after I clicked the submit button. Thanks for clarifying. I wasnt looking to lay that all on you, but more to that faction of fans that still hold tight to those false rumors that were spread against Beltran. I do always enjoy your posts.
Thank you Hodges – this Beltran move has brought out the rawest of emotions, so no need to apologize, just glad you read my stuff. Thanks for the compliment
Great read, Coop. I think most people who had issues with Beltran saw them resolved either with time or when they learned more about why some of the stuff happened. Of course, you will always have the should-stay-silent minority but hey
http://i762.photobucket.com/albums/xx265/Ogre39666/Random%20Shit/Beltran-HatersGonnaHate.jpg
Yeah. That was my history with Beltran. I wanted to like him, and could have shrugged at him at first. I was on his side after 2007 though when i saw how determined he was to help the team win. it wasn’t his fault the rest of them tanked. Also, I heard him speak at the engagement where I took the picture above. I never heard more of a passionate speaker, someone who truly loves to play, a team guy, and he really liked Terry collins too!
Considering what he has given to the Mets, I find it perplexing on a sports level that fans don’t unanimously like or love Carlos Beltran. He is a great athlete and a humble team player. Yet we have a few people who, through their use of abundant conjecture, try to belittle our former treasure.
At some point they will again say foolish things about our best position player ever (and I include Darryl in my assessment).
I enjoyed you fine article, Coop. Thanks.
I can sort of understand the animosity…SORT OF. I thought Beltran was soft myself but looking back, I realize that he was doing what he needed to best help the team, and if that meant sitting out at 85% so he can perform better like 90% the next day, so be it. I would just get upset that he wouldn’t go on the DL, which I guess you could say is “selfish” technically, since he wanted to play so badly that a 15-day spell would take too much away
. I wonder though how much that hurt him in the long run with his bad knees. I wish I had appreciated him for more of his time, but I appreciated him in the nick of time, just a shame he had to end his time here they were in 2005.
I still get upset that I didn’t make it to the game in Arlington. I am very grateful for the picture, it hangs on my wall of Beltran fame. I really did scream and tear up when you first shared the image with me.
I am literally still dealing with the loss. I haven’t watched a game since the news of the trade. I will though. And although many have asked and wondered – I AM STILL A METS FAN. But I am also A CARLOS BELTRAN FAN, no matter where he goes.
No I haven’t been honored enough to see him play live, and I may never get to see him play in a Mets uniform but I still hope to see him in person one day. Living in Oklahoma with no major league team its hard to get that chance without spending a ton of money and travel time.
Thank you for always thinking of me when it comes to Carlos Beltran. Thank you for the pictures, thank you for the sign. I am sorry I didn’t make it to the game. You have no idea how sorry I am. Oh gosh, here come the waterworks again.
Love and hugs Coop! ~ from CB15′s biggest fan
Kelly when Ed snapped that photo, it took ALL of the restraint in the world for me not to blurt it out right then and there…but we waited till we got home to give you the proper “surprise.” Like I said, I spent the last few weeks wondering if I would ever see Beltran playing live in a Mets uniform, when I’ve seen him probably hundreds of times, but didn’t appreciate it at the moment. Meanwhile you are a his biggest fan and never got to see him play live. That’s commitment. Made me appreciate the memories I did have with him.