No need to worry about why Carlos Beltran is not in the line-up today, Terry Collins said he is suffering from flu-like symptoms. Conspiracy theorists – go back to your places for now.

Beltran started his second half with a bang last night, hitting his 14th homerun of the season in the eighth inning, and scoring two runs while going 1-for-2 with two walks. Offensively for the Mets, he was a one-man show as the rest of the bats failed to show up. Can you imagine this offense without him?

Before the game, Beltran spoke to reporters and once again expressed a strong desire to wanting to finish his career with the Mets. He seems to mention this every chance he gets going all the way back to spring training when everyone doubted he’d play more than 50 games this season. In fact, Carlos Beltran has been the Mets’ Iron Man in 2011.

“I’ve made it very clear to this organization that I want to finish my career here,” Beltran said Friday. “But at the same time you understand that organizations have plans — sometimes they’re not plans you think of — so like I said, I’m prepared for everything.”

“When I play the game, I don’t play the game just to prove the organization anything,” Beltran said. “I play because I know I can play the game, so it’s their decision whether or not they want to keep me or they wanna trade me. Whatever decision they make, I will understand it.”

“I don’t know their plans. All I know is I’m having fun and enjoying my time here. I’m doing everything I can. I’m healthy and I want to play and I want to continue to play in the outfield because I enjoy it.”

“I still believe I can produce,” Beltran said. “But when I feel that I can’t produce anymore at this level, then I will go home (and retire) myself. Nobody will need to send me home, I’ll go home myself.”

Two words…