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In a trademark long, meandering post on his website today, the amazing Joe Posnanski writes about Carlos Beltran.
Posnanski discusses the pure talent and insecurity that marked Beltran’s early seasons and goes on to describe the way he’s come into his own on the Mets, writing:
This year, with the New York Mets, Carlos Beltran is on pace to hit .281/.371/.491 with 41 doubles, 26 homers, 117 runs scored, 114 RBIs, 22 steals (3 caught) and 90 walks. He should win a Gold Glove … he’s +17 according to the Dewan plus/minus. Since the beginning of August — so in the heart of the pennant race — he’s hitting .329/.391/.593 with 30 RBIs and 32 runs scored in 37 games. And he’s doing all this after having knee surgery in the off-season.
Only nobody is talking about Carlos Beltran as an MVP candidate. In fact, from what I can gather, many people are still disappointed in Carlos Beltran. He’s good, but he could be better. He’s well-rounded but overpaid. He’s put up some numbers but he left many on the table. The more things change, the more they stay the same. “I don’t think he’s right for New York,” one writer said to me. “I don’t think his personality fits in here.”
I suppose that will never really change for Carlos Beltran — he will keep on being incredible and he will keep on leaving people wanting.
I wrote a similarly appreciative piece on Beltran in July for SNY.tv, but Posnanski blows mine out of the water.
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Don’t feel bad, Ted. Joe is like a sorcerer when it comes to writing a story. Not many match up to him
His personality doesn’t fit? Dude drives a bright yellow 70-something Corvette.
Maybe he isn’t a loud mouth on/off the field. However, he goes out every night and gives it his all…maybe it doesn’t look like he’s running hard to every fly ball, but that’s because he doesn’t have to. “He’s got long beautiful strides.” out there according to Keith Freakin Hernandez.
If he’s overpaid who’s a better centerfield option?
Beltran is the best centerfielder in the game today and the best centerfielder the mets have ever had. He will go down as one of the greatest Mets of all time when all is said and done. One good run in the playoffs and everyone will be giving Beltran the credit he deserves. We already know he is capable of it.
Hit it on the head.
Yeah, very well put. He’s one of the best athletes in the league and that gives him a certain grace that makes everything seem somewhat effortless compared to the normal player. This makes him seem lackadaisical when he’s absolutely hustling his butt off, sometimes with pesky injuries.
In reality he’s been solid with a bat, showed some pop, been a pest on the base paths, and his numbers are in the top tier of the NL. When you factor in his defense (which is as good or better than you’ll see in the league in center field) he’s really been earning that contract this year. He’s definitely the strong silent type, a sort of Clint Eastwood roaming the tundras of center field.
i think my handle says it all regarding to how i view beltran. haters can head to the exit.
someone here said it best. beltran is the thinking man’s favourite met.
I never thought Beltran was overpaid. He’s a complete ballplayer, and even if he doesn’t put up the glamor numbers, he does everything well enough to earn his salary.
It’s out of context a bit I guess, but Posnanski’s just listing the arguments against Beltran there, not agreeing with them.
It is amazing the difference a month or two makes. In early August, people wanted him gone (our stupid, stupid fans, sigh). I told everybody then that in a down year, Beltran was offensively outperforming every CF in the NL but two. Nate McClouth and Rick Ankiel. Neither of the 2 have the defense or baserunning skills to rival Carlos. I also said that if I knew one thing going to the end of this season, it was that Carlos would heat up and get red hot around now, just like he did last year. Beltran might honestly be the best player in the game. I know it sounds weird too say, but he is sooooo valuable, especially in CF. You simply do not get the prudction in CF anywhere else, besides Grady Sizemore. Torii Hunter cannot even compare to Beltran. I love this guy so much and we would be lost without him. He has power, he has speed, he is a gold glover, he has a good arm, and he will hit around .275-.285 for you. I just love the guy. I cannot understand all the hate for this dude. The one thing I can come up with is that we have a lot of new fans who look more at the HR/RBI/ Batting Averages then at the real meaningful stats. But its okay, Beltran having another big season, like the knowledgable fans knew he would, and I am glad we have Carlos for atleast another 3 seasons in Queens. The guy is a legit superstar, and he could not be replaced if he was traded or got hurt. Like I said, aside from Grady Sizemore, you simply do not get the offense/defense/speed combo from any other CF in baseball. I know he can be a little annoying to watch sometimes, but when he gets hot he can carry a team like Delgado is carrying us now. Keep up the good work, Carlos.
It’s really interesting to observe how different fans rise to defend various favorite Mets. The ones who seem to have the most disdain for fellow fans are the Beltran partisans, as if Beltran is the “thinking person’s” favorite Met. The fact is, there are perfectly good reasons to think Reyes is the most important Met, or Wright, or Santana, or (of late) Delgado. And, frankly, I haven’t heard much Beltran bashing this year. Even when he was slumping, it was Delgado, Heilman and others who took the brunt of the criticism. Most of us respect what Beltran does regardless. We don’t have to parade around the internet bragging about it, however.
AMEN! Preach on brother!
It is amazing the difference a month or two makes. In early August, people wanted him gone (our stupid, stupid fans, sigh). I told everybody then that in a down year, Beltran was offensively outperforming every CF in the NL but two. Nate McClouth and Rick Ankiel. Neither of the 2 have the defense or baserunning skills to rival Carlos. I also said that if I knew one thing going to the end of this season, it was that Carlos would heat up and get red hot around now, just like he did last year. Beltran might honestly be the best player in the game. I know it sounds weird too say, but he is sooooo valuable, especially in CF. You simply do not get the prudction in CF anywhere else, besides Grady Sizemore. Torii Hunter cannot even compare to Beltran. I love this guy so much and we would be lost without him. He has power, he has speed, he is a gold glover, he has a good arm, and he will hit around .275-.285 for you. I just love the guy. I cannot understand all the hate for this dude. The one thing I can come up with is that we have a lot of new fans who look more at the HR/RBI/ Batting Averages then at the real meaningful stats. But its okay, Beltran having another big season, like the knowledgable fans knew he would, and I am glad we have Carlos for atleast another 3 seasons in Queens. The guy is a legit superstar, and he could not be replaced if he was traded or got hurt. Like I said, aside from Grady Sizemore, you simply do not get the offense/defense/speed combo from any other CF in baseball. I know he can be a little annoying to watch sometimes, but when he gets hot he can carry a team like Delgado is carrying us now. Keep up the good work, Carlos.
I think he’s fine for New York. I think most New Yorkers are so brainwashed by the 5th grade newspapers they read there is a common perception that Beltran is not appreciated. I think the quarter-way intelligent Mets fan understands Beltran is a rock.
Bscov, I did not agree with you in the K-Rod thread, but I think you just killed this post. The newspapers really do brainwash people, and the sad part is most of the newspaper writers are so bad they wouldn’t know a good/accurate story if it sat on their lap and called them mommy. Beltran really is a rock, we would be so lost without him. I wish we weren’t so hard on our superstars.
Beltran is doing much better now because Delgado woke up from the dead. With Delgado playing the way he is … it takes the spotlight back off of Beltran and allows him to be himself and play his game. Beltran is not a guy who puts a team on his back … he’s a guy that excels quietly.
Hell yes, Beltran for MVP. It would be great if they gave the award for excellence, consistency, and speaking softly. El esta aqui!
The world needs more excellence, consistency, and speaking softly!!
I love Beltran.
When its all said and done Beltran will have been one of the best Mets of all time. Its just a shame most fans aren’t going to have a proper appreciation of him until he is no longer on the team.
It’s funny because you think people could just look @ the Bronx and see their center field woes and be grateful.
Well said, I agree and sadly true on that last sentence.
I never, ever understood the ones on here all summer saying trade Beltran for some impact player. No one I would rather see in center field than Carlos.
that’s mr. carlos beltran.
Met fans should appreciate what they have here. We have playing for us now the greatest SS, 3B and CF in the history of the franchise, and one of the best 1B seasons ever. (Not that the historical competition is that great, but still…) I’ve been watching them for close to 40 years and this is perhaps the most solid team they’ve ever had. Not to mention Johan, Pelf, and some fine young starters.
I’ve never written this on here before, but that was a good post.
Amen.
Ditto that. Let’s appreciate what we have! Let’s not forget it wasn’t too long ago when we really sucked!
Yeah, good point, as much as I (and many other blog-frequenting Mets Fans) like to complain and analyze and fret and whatnot, I can’t say this season hasn’t been fun. I’ve watched these guys play some great baseball.
word. alas, met fans in general are conditioned to whine and put blame for their woes on the team that plays in the bronx.
Beltran had a poor first season with the Mets, and first impressions are hard to overcome. But really, if he’s not the best CF in baseball, he’s a close #2 behind Sizemore. I agree with Keith; he’s an absolute joy to watch in the field.
Met fans who don’t appreciate what they have in Beltran need to re-examine their knowledge of the sport. As others here have stated, worth the price of admission simply to watch him patrolling center.
Regarding his bat, I think that, rather than taking pressure off him to be “the Man”, Delgado’s stunning re-emergence has afforded him better pitches to hit…
Thank you Carlos, for donning the Orange & Blue !
well said
Not to be synical here (theres no place for that on Metsblog!) but in reality, lets thank the Wilpons for putting Beltran in the Orange & Blue by offering the biggest contract…if Freddie doesn’t pay up, Boras would never agree
Over the last 3 seasons and this year, Beltran is the #1 centerfielder in all of baseball. I just don’t understand the fans who want more out of him.
Compared to what Manny and A-Rod make and considering Beltran’s defensive position, he is a bargain. Yes, $17 mill is a lot of dough, but he’s worth it.
He is one of the players that make watching the Mets a joy. Wright and Reyes are two others.
All those fans who always whine about Beltran deserve someone like Melky Cabrera! Then you’d really see Beltran’s worth.
Beltran is forever linked to the called third strike at this time.
Right now the Mets just need to get into the playoffs. And then more than likely they can ride Beltran.
Guys, I would just like to say I am proud of you all. We had no Beltran bashers in here, and a bunch or really intelligent posts. Finally, one of our star players being appreciated. It seems silly, but it really bothers me to hear people talk bad about Beltran, when there is nothing bad about him as a player. It makes me feel good to finally see him getting some support from his fans, so thank you all. I was expecting a lot of anti Beltran comments, and was pleasantly surprised to be wrong. Keep showing this guy support out at the ballpark. Somebody made a great point to about the Yankees. They had Bernie forever, didnt appreciate him, and now he is gone and they have the awful, dreadful Melky Cabrera. Lets learn from that and be smarter then the Yankee fans.
Beltran has been very good. He is one of the best center fielders in the majors defensively and has a very good bat. However, people are right to be wanting for more after his amazing 2006 season. That may have been a fluke, though. That season he really earned his salary. He’ll always be a little overpaid but I’m content with the offensive numbers he’s putting up this year. It seems he’s more of a guy with a slugging percentage around .500 who is capable of 25 homers. In 2006 he had 41 homers and a .594 slugging. I don’t think we’ll see that again.
The problem with Beltran? Although, he’s a good all around player, New York fans and media expect more personality from their players and coaches… like Manuel who is every day giving sound bites. Even if a player is talking trash and loud, NY fans will accept them IF he is also producing. Beltran is very very quiet. I think the biggest problem is that after his great playoff power surge, everyone expected him to be a masher which he is not. They expect ARod type power. He is more of a doubles hitter. 30+ is not enough. It should be 45+. At the time, it was the second biggest contract next to ARod (correct me if I’m wrong). Why wouldn’t the fans expect that type of production? Now the problem the last couple of years is that he goes unnoticed. At the end of the year, you’re like “wow he put up those numbers?”.. but it’s so inconsistent. He’d go on mini-stretches of monster productivity (like now) and then longer stretches of no productivity. It’s hard to notice when there’s more days he’s doing nothing. So, although he may be the best all around CF in the game everyone is still expecting the playoff power surge.
Let’s face it - “he’s not a good fit for NY” is about all the dirt you can dig up on Beltran. He never gets in trouble, he never dogs it, he rarely says the wrong thing or shows up an opponent, and he puts up solid numbers, runs the bases as well as anyone, and is the gold glove in CF.
The list of Centerfielders who could give the Mets more right now is: — well no one!! With all their money, they Yankees can’t find a CF, and have no real options for next year - that’s how rare good ones are.
If the Yankees paid the extra dough in Jan. 2006 they would be in the post season this year, and the Mets likely would be 5 games out.
beltran is my favorite…. everyone was on point in the blog… my one lingering question is this: where the hell can i download “eres aqui!??!?!?!??!?!R