He’s back!
Carlos Beltran was introduced as the 22nd manager of the New York Mets on Monday morning at Citi Field to the media, with a livestream to fans being broadcasted on Twitter and Facebook.
Mets’ general manager Brodie Van Wagenen took the podium first and gave some background on the selection process and why they ultimately chose Beltran to lead the Mets.
Van Wagenen said that he realized the managerial selection process took awhile, but that was by design.
“I know it took a while,” Van Wagenen said. “We were detailed, and we wanted to make sure we got this right.”
In regards to why they chose Beltran, Van Wagenen identified five key characteristics Beltran possesses that made him their guy: his poise, his trustworthiness, his growth mindset, his commitment to beating his opponent and his appreciation for and understanding of players.
Building off that, Van Wagenen emphasized that Beltran will be a players’ first manager and that the organization has a commitment to being a players’ first organization.
“Carlos is a winner, Carlos came here to win, we brought Carlos here to win,” Van Wagenen added, saying that 12 of the last 14 seasons Beltran was in the league were all winning seasons.
Wearing No. 15, Beltran was then introduced and was visibly emotional throughout the presser, as he thanked the organization, his family and God for the opportunity.
“I’m a little overwhelmed by this opportunity, but excited,” Beltran said.
But perhaps the most notable thing Beltran said, which is sure to be the Mets’ slogan in 2020 is that he wants to rewrite our story.
“Baseball is a roller coaster,” Beltran said. “I know this will be the same. I just can’t wait to rewrite our story.”
In regards to any past issues with ownership, Beltran said that never came up during the interview process and said that any past issues will stay in the past.
You can’t progress in life if you think in the past,” Beltran said. “I would not be standing here if everything wasn’t clear with the organization.”
When asked about being a first time manager, Beltran said he has a lot of mentors to lean on through the process, but said he is excited to serve the players, community and fans.
“The passion I have for the game of baseball and pass forward I do believe is important and was my call to pursue this opportunity,” Beltran said. “I’m excited to have those conversations with players and impact their careers in a positive way.”
Beltran also said he will be calling each player individually this offseason as well as sitting down with each guy one-on-one in Spring Training to get to know them better.
“We have a good ball club,” Beltran said. “We have to work hard in spring training and focus on areas where we didn’t do well this year. Beltran also wants to create a positive environment in the clubhouse and wants them to be happy coming to the ballpark.”
General manager Brodie Van Wagenen says that he reached out to Yankees general manager Brian Cashman very early in their managerial search to talk about Carlos. He also mentions that when he was hired a year ago he had Carlos Beltran on his list of people he wanted to add to the organization.
On his coaching staff, Van Wagenen said that Beltran will have a say in the people that are put in place around him to make sure that’s he comfortable.
