Carlos Beltran Is Awesome At Baseball, Can't Count

by Eric Simon on Jan 15, 2009 1:02 PM EST Comment 50 comments

In a column for the Daily News, Christian Red caught up with Carlos Beltran to talk about his time in New York, his goals for the season, and his future as a player. On his career with the Mets so far:

"I was thinking about that couple days ago. I was saying, ‘Wow, I already have five years with Mets. Two more to go. Hopefully I can finish my career in New York. That's not in my hands. That's something the organization will decide, but I would love to finish my career there. I don't want to move to any other city."

Emphasis mine. Unless Beltran is truly from another planet or his year-from-now self took a time machine back to present day, Beltran has only played in New York for four years. His first year was 2005. Last year was 2008. Four years. Then again, maybe he has a mandate from Scott Boras to spread this "five years" meme throughout the local media until it we all just accept that he has, in fact, played five years so far. It's all just part of the plan for Beltran to hit free agency one year sooner.

Then again, from Beltran's perspective, maybe it just feels like five years.

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I don't even want to think about life after Beltran

I hope he can play another 5 years here.

by Gina on Jan 15, 2009 1:06 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

What are the odds Bora$ lets him extend?

On the open market, the guy commands a hefty price tag.

by TBlz on Jan 15, 2009 1:09 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

now this? $cott Bora$ continues to ruin my winter

I sense a disturbance in the AA force: Primary directives— 1. “CBIAAB” and 2. counting is important— are at odds. Please advise.

I.M. Forme
"When you get yourself into trouble is when you feel you have to do something, and then you get yourself in trouble." --Omar Minaya

by itsmetsforme on Jan 15, 2009 1:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

also confused

i read that quote over at metsblog and then went to baseball-reference.com to confirm that has only actually played 4 seasons thus far. it’s sad that i know more about beltran’s professional career than he does.

by englishgrey on Jan 15, 2009 1:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

carlos bel-TRAN

As Jon Miller might say. 2005 probably felt like 2 years for him.

by James Kannengieser on Jan 15, 2009 1:16 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Stupid stat-lovers

You nerds might not have noticed this while you were busy calculating HnTASAD and OBaOPDOs on your slide rules, but Carlos Beltran spent the last four years playing with so much grit and hustle that he actually ended up playing a fifth year. Geez, sometimes you just have to go with what you see on the field and not worry so much about what the “numbers” tell you.

Shove that in your pocket protectors, jerks.

/snark

'Oh yes, I know all about that duty-of-a-citizen stuff. It doesn't go. There are exceptions to every rule, and this was one of them. When a man risks his liberty to come and root at a ball-game, you've got to hand it to him. He isn't a crook. He's a fan.'

by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Jan 15, 2009 1:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

well he was mightily concussed

back in the beginning of his contract. so there’s that.

(oddly enough, there are reports that Mike Cameron erroneously thinks there’s still to many years on his contract)

I.M. Forme
"When you get yourself into trouble is when you feel you have to do something, and then you get yourself in trouble." --Omar Minaya

by itsmetsforme on Jan 15, 2009 1:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Beltran=Future Hall of famer?

Very underrated, and sometimes I feel we owe him more as Mets fans. Top 10 position player in baseball, and best defensive CF, and best overall after Grady Sizemore.

by squid92 on Jan 15, 2009 2:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

He'll be borderline, is my best guess

It’ll take some doing to convince idiots like Jon Heyman and Mike Celizic that drawing walks and stealing bases at a high success rate are good things.

by JoshNY on Jan 15, 2009 2:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well,

At least Corky Simpson won’t be around to not vote for him.

We've got ourselves a ball club, the Mets of New York town!

by kingcritical on Jan 15, 2009 2:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

finally someone gets it about the great Matt williams!

" Matt Williams, my first Hall of Fame vote for an Arizona Diamondback player. Matty played 17 seasons for the Giants, Indians and Diamondbacks. Nobody ever played the game with more intensity, nor with more reverence for the sport.

He was the inspirational leader of the 2001 World Series champion D’backs"

I.M. Forme
"When you get yourself into trouble is when you feel you have to do something, and then you get yourself in trouble." --Omar Minaya

by itsmetsforme on Jan 15, 2009 2:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, they should make Corky's ballot count for double.

We've got ourselves a ball club, the Mets of New York town!

by kingcritical on Jan 15, 2009 3:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Or just make him the sole arbiter of HoF status.

by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Jan 15, 2009 3:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

In all seriousness, the one who should/could do that is Rob Neyer.

The process for writers to get a vote is honestly ridiculous.

by squid92 on Jan 15, 2009 3:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He'll probably be borderline, but he _should_ get in.

by squid92 on Jan 15, 2009 3:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I tentatively agree

though obviously Beltran still has years left in his career

by JoshNY on Jan 15, 2009 3:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He might be better than Sizemore

Comparing the stats, I don’t see why not. Sizemore is the better value now though.

by JobiJoba on Jan 15, 2009 8:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

From what I've seen, Sizemore has a slight edge in stats.

But feel free to look for yourself. Also, Sizemore is younger. But, in my opinion, if I had to rank the top outfielders in baseball last year, it would go Sizemore, Beltran, Manny, Giles, and Holliday.

by squid92 on Jan 15, 2009 9:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Why 4=5

2005 Too many expect the world of him. He has very average year – CHECK
2006 NLCS game 7 loss – CHECK
2007 Collapse – CHECK
2008 Collapse – CHECK

4=5. That seems about right.

Watching the 2006 NLCS on MLBn right now. Even though the outcome is obvious this is my first time seeing the game. I was out at sea when it actually took place. It just makes me feel good to see the atmosphere of the playoffs at Shea. Man, they can get loud.

I hope I can make it up to Citi this year.

" Where I'm from, throwing up in your mouth is affectionately known as a mustard burp. "

by LOUtheMETandNATSfan on Jan 15, 2009 3:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Speaking of MLBn

Tonight @ 6pm they revisit 1986. I’ve never seen a re-telling of that season. Can’t wait. Celebrating with a beer, couch potato time and celebrating the fact that the judge reduced the amount I’ll have to pay for my speeding ticket. Whoopee!!

" Where I'm from, throwing up in your mouth is affectionately known as a mustard burp. "

by LOUtheMETandNATSfan on Jan 15, 2009 3:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

only four years

it does seem like five. Heck to ZaBlanc, it probably feels like 50 years!!

by Endys Game on Jan 15, 2009 3:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

ON A SERIOUS NOTE...

Damn guys, did anyone here about the plane crashing in the Hudson River?

http://wcbstv.com/breakingnewsalerts/us.airways.crash.2.909535.html

" Where I'm from, throwing up in your mouth is affectionately known as a mustard burp. "

by LOUtheMETandNATSfan on Jan 15, 2009 3:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

picture of situation

" Where I'm from, throwing up in your mouth is affectionately known as a mustard burp. "

by LOUtheMETandNATSfan on Jan 15, 2009 4:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

yeah, I heard.

Trying to follow the story in between actually working.

I hope no one was hurt.

We've got ourselves a ball club, the Mets of New York town!

by kingcritical on Jan 15, 2009 4:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Amazing that the plane is still afloat.

" Where I'm from, throwing up in your mouth is affectionately known as a mustard burp. "

by LOUtheMETandNATSfan on Jan 15, 2009 4:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Wolf Blitzer = Melodrama

Damn Wolf! Give it a rest man!

" Where I'm from, throwing up in your mouth is affectionately known as a mustard burp. "

by LOUtheMETandNATSfan on Jan 15, 2009 4:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

O Lord

Then here comes Soledad.

" Where I'm from, throwing up in your mouth is affectionately known as a mustard burp. "

by LOUtheMETandNATSfan on Jan 15, 2009 4:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Wow

Did Lou actually just post a picture that was relevant to something?

Seriously, though, they’re saying everyone got out and was rescued by rafts and ferries and the like. For those out of the area, it is very cold here today; definitely not the kind of day you want to be outside in the water.

by JoshNY on Jan 15, 2009 4:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

to be fair

it’s not relevant to Carlos Beltran.

by cjmulrain on Jan 15, 2009 5:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

"From what I can gather"

“My sources say”
“According to people familiar with the USAirways rescue effort’s thinking”

…Beltran spearheaded the rescue effort

by James Kannengieser on Jan 15, 2009 5:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The word I'm getting is that

John Rocker recently asked Jesus to forgive his sins (and stupid comments about NY) and as a result, he’s currently serving as an angel on probation while keeping the plane afloat in the Hudson river.

" Where I'm from, throwing up in your mouth is affectionately known as a mustard burp. "

by LOUtheMETandNATSfan on Jan 15, 2009 10:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Vorsicht!

~~Big Brother~~ DHS is watching.

" Where I'm from, throwing up in your mouth is affectionately known as a mustard burp. "

by LOUtheMETandNATSfan on Jan 15, 2009 6:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Wow.

I had to catch the 4 PM ferry from SI to Manhattan because I had to go in and take a final. I was wondering why we had to go around Governor’s Island.

Crazy.

by SQUAD on Jan 15, 2009 9:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

beltran owns

i was at a nationals game (because i live in stupid DC) in some cheap outfield seats for a mets game and had the misfortune of sitting next to a moron red sox fan who thought it woul dbe fun to taunt beltran for being overpaid.

this genius’ clever heckling was, i kid you not, “how do you like that contract now, carlos? you’re way over paid, jacob ellsbury makes you look foolish!”

that was it, i swear. it was awful. i wanted to annihilate this man. i hate boston. also, check out fangraphs, saying that beltran was actually worth $35 million MORE than what the Mets have paid him so far.

man i really hate boston.

by kendynamo on Jan 15, 2009 4:40 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Sully from Revere never got a free taco because of Carlos Beltran

That’s the only way I can think of in which Jacoby Ellsbury makes Carlos Beltran look foolish.

by JoshNY on Jan 15, 2009 4:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

("Sully from Revere" is the Boston equivalent of "Vinny from Staten Island")

by JoshNY on Jan 15, 2009 4:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think I know the guy you're talking about

yea here he is

King of the bling come to lay down the evidence//Not George Bush, L-Millz be da president

by Sam Page on Jan 15, 2009 4:54 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

@kendynamo

King of the bling come to lay down the evidence//Not George Bush, L-Millz be da president

by Sam Page on Jan 15, 2009 4:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

that is awesome sam

KNUCKLEBALL

by kendynamo on Jan 16, 2009 11:43 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

FREAKIN YANKS!

" PLEASE! CHANGE THE PATCH! "

by LOUtheMETandNATSfan on Jan 17, 2009 12:32 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

When blogging last year on the Rays site

I came across this same video. I laughed so hard that I had to show my co-worker (because him and I were always trying to do this Boston accent) boss be damned.

We watched it everyday that we came into work for a week straight.

" Where I'm from, throwing up in your mouth is affectionately known as a mustard burp. "

by LOUtheMETandNATSfan on Jan 15, 2009 6:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

If you haven't already seen them...

You should watch the original My New Haircut, on which the video Sam linked is based, as well as some of the other videos that were similarly inspired.

by JoshNY on Jan 15, 2009 6:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs