Recap: Beltran on WFAN, talking Reyes, NY & Culture

November 11, 2009 at 12:25 pm · 20 comments

by Matthew Cerrone

Carlos Beltran was a guest on WFAN this morning, working to promote his charity gala in San Juan on Nov. 21, which will raise money for his Foundation.

To listen to Beltran’s entire interview, go to WFAN.com.

During the interview, Beltran said his knee is feeling good.

“Last year for us was bad,” he said, noting that it was the first time he has ever seen a team forced to deal with that many injuries in one season.

Nevertheless, Beltran said, even as is, he believes the team has enough talent to compete with the Phillies.

Beltran said he has never and will never lobby the front office to acquire specific players.

He said there is no truth to rumors of a cultural divide in the Mets clubhouse.

“We have a great group of guys, and when things go wrong people pick on things,” he explained.  “I don’t think that is the problem.  The problem last year was a lot of people got injured, and we didn’t accomplish our goal.”

Beltran said he is happy being on the Mets. 

“That first year was difficult for me,” he said, having come from Kansas City to New York.  “Now, I love it.”

“It makes me push myself to the limit, and you have to play at a certain level, and that’s good, because the people here are very demanding, they’re passionate and I love the pressure.  I honestly do.”

He says, it’s not that he didn’t like New York at first, he just wasn’t prepared, noting, “There was a learning process for me.”

Beltran said he only watched three games of the World Series.  He hopes the Mets use what the Yankees did as motivation. 

He talked to Jose Reyes two days ago.  Beltran says Reyes is doing great, not feeling pain, and he will be ready for next season.

The radio host, joking around, asked Beltran if he is bothered by the amount of time Mike Pelfrey spends licking himself on the mound.

Beltran laughed, and said:

“You know what, he’s crazy.  But, he’s a great guy.  Brother, he works hard.  I have never met a pitcher who works as hard as he works… But, everybody’s different.  I make fun of him when he does that, though.”

In the end, Beltran said, each of the last three seasons are equally disappointing, because, “When you are not able to accomplish something you know and the team knows you can do, it’s frustrating.”

To learn more about the Carlos Beltran Foundation, go here; and to follow him on Twitter, click here.

To listen to Beltran’s entire interview, go to WFAN.com.

{ 20 comments }

eDaPS November 11, 2009 at 12:31 pm

IMO, Carlos Beltran = best player on the Mets.

Xavier22 November 11, 2009 at 12:46 pm

Agreed – and a class act all the way.

I just hope his knees hold up.

thedude November 11, 2009 at 12:56 pm

Absolutely. Anyone who doesn’t appreciate Beltran is either Steve Phillips (he of the impeccable judgment) or a moron.

Joe Bacci November 11, 2009 at 4:02 pm

thats kind of redundant isn’t it?

raincntry November 11, 2009 at 1:11 pm

Agreed. I hope he finishes his career as a Met.

wlaadair November 11, 2009 at 2:45 pm

The no trade clause he has going pretty much assures that, Boras is one crazy agent.

Xavier22 November 11, 2009 at 4:35 pm

He will probably DH in his final years. He’s only going to be what, 33-34 in his final year with the Mets?

Dave Meisel November 11, 2009 at 12:35 pm

Pelfrey, Murph, and Wright all need to chill. Apparently these guys all work their butts off, day and night…maybe this doesn’t help and they should ease back a bit and try to have fun next year.

wlaadair November 11, 2009 at 2:45 pm

Agreed, i think Pelf put too much pressure on himself with being a new dad, Wright is all but engaged so hopefully his intended will help him relax and chill a bit, as for Murph he will take his cue from Wright.

mextache November 11, 2009 at 12:40 pm

Beltran is a great player and the Mets are lucky to have him. Last year he was off to a great start after the WBC before he was injured.

Wright may be the unofficial captain of this team but Beltran is their leader.

wlaadair November 11, 2009 at 1:54 pm

When Beltran plays a whole season without wimping out of several games, t hen i will accept him as a team leader. Also, being able to say “Que?” would be helpful when dealing with tough questions.

JohantheMan November 11, 2009 at 2:12 pm

are you kidding?

wlaadair November 11, 2009 at 2:42 pm

Not in the least, hes a soft wimp who begs out of too many games for what he gets paid, he is one to give a incentive laden contract to and one of the incentives is games played, started, not just a pinch hit appearance in the 9th.

I actually meant to say he needs to say more than “Que?” when asked a tough question, if he even sticks around long enough after the game.

thedude November 11, 2009 at 12:54 pm

“will never lobby the front office to acquire specific players”

We all know that’s Adam Rubin’s job

wlaadair November 11, 2009 at 2:44 pm

thats cause he doesn’t care, if he showed an interest in advocating a player it would show he cares about the team more than himself.

7train November 11, 2009 at 1:07 pm

This dude is the man. Carlos has the right demeanor for this town, calm and collect. He has learned quickly that all you can control is what you do and not let the wight of the teams woes bring you down.

That was a great interview.

Coolpapabell November 11, 2009 at 1:23 pm

Carton is annoying.

Its great to hear Beltran is doing well though.

JohantheMan November 11, 2009 at 1:31 pm

Craig Carton drives me insane, seriously

Hit The Weights Zeile November 11, 2009 at 3:17 pm

I definitely think Wright and Pelfrey put extra pressure on themselves this year to be “the man” or in Pelfreys case “the #2 man”. I really wish there had been a change at the manager position in order to bring in a new vibe I think with Manuel feeling the pressure this year it may trickle down to the players and lead to more disappointment.

wlaadair November 11, 2009 at 3:34 pm

Definitel true, they both care so much and work harder than anyone else on the team. Like i said in an earlier reply, they both had personal life changing things going on, Pelfrey becoming a dad, and Wright being engaged put a lot of pressure on both of them.

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