On Saturday, Carlos Beltran said that it is hard to believe that the is starting his seventh season with the New York Mets this year.
It's hard for me to believe too, Carlos.
The upcoming baseball season will be Beltran's 14th. He had six seasons with the Royals, one split between the Royals and the Astros, and the rest with the Mets. There are very few Mets that have been on the roster longer than Beltran now. David was on the team for only one year before Beltran. Jose Reyes only two seasons. Pedro Feliciano was there for three years before Carlos, but he's gone now. Actually, when you look at the 2004 Mets roster, the only two players that are still on the Mets are Reyes and Wright.
It seems like just yesterday I was angry about the Yankees, who seemed poised to overpay to get Carlos to come to the Bronx, then shocked to find out that he with Pedro were coming to Queens. Over the last 6 seasons we have experienced so much with Carlos. His failure in 2005 and collision with Mike Cameron. His silent leadership in 2006 when he belted 41 homers. His consistency in 2007 despite the collapse of the team around him. His engagement with the Phillies around this time with the team to beat nonsense/sideshow/spectacle. The frustration and the blame in 2008, although he remained a key player. Then came the injury shortened 2009 and 2010.
We have no idea what will happen after this year, and where Beltran will go. It is sometimes popular to belittle what Beltran has done for this team in his first 6 years but at the same time, it is really important to remember his yearly numbers, with the exception of 2005 and 2010, have been quite good. He says he is open to playing Right field this year, if it is better for the team, and that is the attitude that I expect out of Beltran. He is not a selfish player, which is why at the end of this season, whether he stays with the Mets, or goes to another team, I will have fond memories of Beltran's time with the Mets.
