Carlos Beltrán

Carlos Beltrán
St. Louis Cardinals – No. 3
Outfielder
Born: (1977-04-24) April 24, 1977 (age 36) Manatí, Puerto Rico
Bats: Switch	Throws: Right
MLB debut
September 14, 1998 for the Kansas City Royals
Career statistics (through May 22, 2013)
Batting average	.283
Hits	2,114
Doubles	421
Home runs	344
Runs batted in	1,272
Stolen bases	306
Teams
Kansas City Royals (1998–2004) Houston Astros (2004) New York Mets (2005–2011) San Francisco Giants (2011) St. Louis Cardinals (2012–present)
Career highlights and awards
7× All-Star (2004–2007, 2009, 2011–2012) 3× Gold Glove Award (2006–2008) 2× Silver Slugger Award (2006–2007) AL Rookie of the Year (1999) 30–30 club 300-300 club 2× Fielding Bible Award (2006, 2008) All-time postseason leader in OPS

Carlos Iván Beltrán (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈkarloz βelˈtɾan]; born April 24, 1977) is a Puerto Rican professional baseball outfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has also played in MLB for the Kansas City Royals, Houston Astros, New York Mets, and San Francisco Giants.

Beltrán was the American League Rookie of the Year in 1999. He has been named to seven MLB All-Star Games, and has won three Gold Glove Awards and two Silver Slugger Awards. Beltrán is a member of the 30–30 club, as he has hit 30 home runs and stolen 30 bases in the same season.

Beltrán is among the best all-time statistical hitters in Major League Baseball postseason games, which has earned him nicknames such as "the new Mr.October", "Mr.October, Jr.", "Señor Octubre" and "the real Mr.October" from the media.^[1][1][2][3] He leads several offensive categories during this month, including slugging percentage, runs scored in a single season and at bats per home run-ratio.^[4] Beltrán is MLB's all-time leader in OPS (on-base plus slugging) during the postseason, surpassing Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig among players with at least a hundred at-bats.^[5] He has broken the 1.000 OPS mark in four different playoff series. Beltrán also has a 100% stolen base percentage (11/11) during this phase of the tournament, which are the most stolen bases without being caught.^[6]

Early life [edit]

In his youth, Beltrán excelled in many sports, with volleyball and baseball being his favorites. At his father's urging, he gave up volleyball to concentrate on baseball when he was seventeen. Graduating from Fernando Callejo High School in 1995, the highly-regarded five tool player was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the second round of that year's amateur baseball draft.

Carlos Beltrán

Beltrán batting for the Puerto Rico national team in 2013 World Baseball Classic
Medal record
Representing  Puerto Rico
Men’s Baseball
World Baseball Classic
Silver	2013 San Francisco	Team

Baseball career [edit]

Kansas City Royals [edit]

After selecting Beltrán in the 1995 Major League Baseball Draft, the Kansas City Royals assigned him to their rookie-level team in the Carolina League, the Wilmington Blue Rocks. Beltrán made his Major League debut on September 14, 1998, playing 15 games. Going into 1999, he won the job as the Royals' starting center fielder and leadoff hitter. He displayed significant power by midsummer, and was moved to the #3 slot in the batting order. Beltrán won the American League Rookie of the Year award, batting .293 with 22 home runs, 108 RBI and 27 stolen bases. On September 27, 1999, Beltran made the final out at Tiger Stadium striking out against relief pitcher Todd Jones as the Detroit Tigers beat the Royals 8–2.

Injuries restricted Beltrán to 98 games during the 2000 season and he slumped to .247, losing his center field position to the popular Johnny Damon. After Damon was traded to the Athletics following the season, Beltrán regained his job in 2001 and recaptured his rookie form. He batted .306 with 24 home runs and 101 RBI in that season, followed by lines of .273-29-105 in 2002 and .307-26-100 in 2003.

Beltrán became known for starting sluggishly, and stayed like that for the rest of his career, as in 2003 when he batted .194 in April. His luck changed in 2004, as Beltrán began the year with 8 home runs and 19 RBI and was selected as American League Player of the Month for April.^{[citation needed]}

Playing for a small market club and represented by agent Scott Boras, Beltrán endured trade rumors through the 2003 and 2004 seasons. As the end of his contract neared, the two sides failed to negotiate a longterm deal. Following an interleague doubleheader loss to the last-place Montreal Expos, Royals general manager Allard Baird told reporters that he was preparing to dismantle the team and rebuild it for the 2005 season.^{[citation needed]}

Houston Astros [edit]

On June 24, 2004, Beltrán was traded to the Houston Astros in a three-team deal, which also sent relief pitcher Octavio Dotel from the Astros to the Oakland Athletics, while the Royals picked up Oakland minor leaguers (pitcher Mike Wood and third-baseman Mark Teahen) and Astros catcher John Buck.

While still a Royal, Beltrán had been selected to the American League starting outfield for the 2004 All-Star Game. After the trade to the National League, he was initially denied a place in the game. However, after NL starter Ken Griffey, Jr. went on the disabled list, Beltrán was named his substitute. Beltrán became the first player ever to be selected for one All-Star team but play for the other.

In the 2004 MLB playoffs, Beltrán tied Barry Bonds's single postseason record with 8 home runs. He had one in each of the first four games of the NLCS against the St. Louis Cardinals, including a game-winner in Game 4. Following his 2 home runs in Game 5 of the previous NLDS against the Atlanta Braves, this gave Beltrán five consecutive postseason games with a home run, setting a record.

New York Mets [edit]

2005–2006 [edit]

Following Beltrán's impressive performance in the 2004 season, he became a free agent. The New York Yankees were tipped as favorites and Beltrán allegedly offered them a $19 million discount. The Yankees declined and the crosstown New York Mets signed him to a 7-year, $119-million contract, the biggest in franchise history at the time. It was the tenth contract in baseball history to surpass $100 million.

On August 11, 2005, in a game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park, Beltrán was seriously injured after colliding head-to-head with fellow Mets outfielder Mike Cameron when both were diving to catch a ball in shallow right center field. Cameron missed the rest of the season with a concussion, temporary loss of vision, and two broken cheekbones. Beltrán suffered vertigo for a while, although both players eventually recovered.

A quadriceps injury bothered him most of the season and limited his speed. In 582 at bats, Beltrán's stats included career lows in batting average (.266), home runs (16), runs batted in (78), runs scored (83), and stolen bases (17). Despite the limited participation, he was still voted to his second All-Star team.

Carlos Beltrán played for Puerto Rico in the 2006 World Baseball Classic, joining Carlos Delgado, Bernie Williams, Javier Vázquez, Iván Rodríguez and others on the team managed by St. Louis Cardinals third base coach Jose Oquendo. Beltrán's 2006 season was an upgrade on his first year in New York. Helped by 10 home runs in May, he surpassed his home run total from the previous year before the 2006 season was half over. Beltrán's performance secured him a spot in the 2006 All-Star Game, his third. He was joined by five other Mets, including three other starters. Beltrán was a standout for the NL as the only batter with multiple hits, along with two stolen bases. He scored the go-ahead run that gave the National League a 2–1 lead in the third inning. Beltrán might have been the game's MVP, but the American League came back to win in the 9th inning. Beltrán hit grand slams in consecutive games on July 16 and 18, becoming the 22nd player to do so. Another grand slam at the end of July made him only the third Met to hit three in one season. Beltrán continued to produce with a walk-off home run against the St. Louis Cardinals on August 22, off Cardinals' closer Jason Isringhausen. It was Beltrán's second walk-off of the season, following a 16th-inning gamewinner against the Phillies.

Beltrán's 41 home runs tied the Mets' single season record for homers, matching Todd Hundley's total in 1996. His 127 runs scored gave him sole possession of the Mets' single season franchise mark. He and teammate José Reyes won the Silver Slugger Award at their respective positions. He also tied for the major league lead in times reached base on an error (13).^[7]

Beltrán's defense was also recognized during the 2006 season, as he received his first Gold Glove award. He made only 2 errors in 372 chances to give him a .995 fielding percentage, and recorded 13 outfield assists and 6 double plays. He also won a Fielding Bible Award as the top fielding center fielder in MLB.^[8] Beltrán came fourth in the National League MVP award voting, behind winner Ryan Howard, Albert Pujols, and Lance Berkman. Returning to the playoffs, Beltrán hit three home runs in the 2006 NLCS, bringing his career playoff total to 11 home runs in 22 games.

Beltrán in 2007 spring training

However, Beltrán's 2006 season will best be remembered for how it ended. With the bases loaded and 2 outs in Game 7 of the NLCS against the St. Louis Cardinals, Beltrán struck out looking against Adam Wainwright, ending the New York Mets season. The St. Louis Cardinals went on to win the World Series against the Detroit Tigers.

2007–2008 [edit]

In 2007, Beltrán hit below .230 from May to July. However, he improved in August and September, finishing with a .276 batting average and 112 RBI. Batting .282 in September with 8 home runs, 27 RBI and 22 runs scored, he was not one of the prime culprits in the Mets' painful collapse down the stretch. In July, he was named to his 4th All-Star Game appearance and upon the conclusion of the season, won his 2nd straight Gold Glove award.

In the final game before the All-Star game Beltrán connected his 15th home run of the season.^[9] On August 29 Beltran had all 5 RBIs for the Mets including a grand slam with 2 outs in the 9th to give the Mets a 5–2 lead.^[10] The Mets would win this game 5–4. Beltran hit the last and only Mets home run in the final regular season game at Shea Stadium (the last home run would belong to Dan Uggla). The home run was a two run shot that tied the game 2–2 against the Florida Marlins. Beltran won his 3rd straight Gold Glove award in the outfield for the Mets. He won his second Fielding Bible Award as the top MLB center fielder in 2008.^[11]

Beltrán with the New York Mets in 2009

2009–2011 [edit]

Beltrán got his 1,000th RBI against Scott Olsen (Washington Nationals) with a triple in the third inning on April 24, 2009.^[12]

In voting for the 2009 All Star Game, Beltrán was third among NL outfielders (2,812,295 votes), trailing only Ryan Braun (4,138,559) and Raúl Ibáñez (4,053,355).^[13]

On January 13, 2010, Beltrán had surgery on his knee and was originally expected to miss 8–12 weeks. The procedure was performed by Beltrán's personal physician Dr. Richard Steadman.^[14] The Mets have stated that the surgery was done without their consent, and the team expressed their disappointment with Beltrán's decision.^[15] However, Beltrán's agent, Scott Boras, claimed that the Mets consented to the procedure.^[16] Beltrán played his first game of the 2010 season on July 15.^[17]

On May 12, 2011, playing against the Colorado Rockies, Beltrán hit three two-run home runs in a 9–5 Mets victory. It was the first three-home run game of his career, and he became only the eighth Mets hitter in history to hit three home runs in a game.

San Francisco Giants [edit]

On July 28, 2011, Beltrán was traded from the Mets to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for pitching prospect Zack Wheeler. The Mets also sent $4 million cash to the Giants to cover Beltrán's remaining $6.5 million contract, which expired at the end of the 2011 season.^[18][19]

On July 29, 2011, the next day, Beltrán got his first hit with the Giants (an RBI single to left field in the first inning), going 1-for-5 while playing right fielder against the Cincinnati Reds. (The Giants eventually lost to the Reds 4–3 in thirteen innings.)

Beltrán playing for the San Francisco Giants in 2011

On September 14, 2011, Beltrán hit 2 solo home runs against San Diego Padres' starting pitcher Mat Latos. He reached 20 home runs for the season and his 300th career home run. Prior to this game, Beltrán had never hit against Mat Latos. Both home runs were hit the right side of the field with Beltrán batting from the left side. The 299th hit the arcade, and the 300th landed in McCovey Cove which increased the "Splash Hit" count to 59. Both home runs would prove to be crucial, as the Giants swept the Padres in a 3-game series, with a score of 3–1. His home runs in the series accounted for 4 out of the 14 runs.

St. Louis Cardinals [edit]

On December 22, 2011, Beltrán agreed to a two-year deal with the St. Louis Cardinals worth $26 million. The deal includes a full no-trade clause.^[20]

On April 4, 2012 Beltran recorded the first ever hit in a regular season game at Marlins Park against the Miami Marlins on Opening Day 2012.

On May 14, he was named NL Player of the Week because of his outstanding performances in six games (May 7–13). He hit .360 (9-for-25) with six home runs, 13 RBIs, 8 Runs, 30 total bases for a 1.200 slugging percentage, with a 1.648 OPS in getting hits in five of the six games, homering in four of them. It was his ninth career weekly award, sixth in the NL.^[21]

On June 1, in his first game in New York after leaving the Mets, he got a standing ovation from the crowd at Citi Field.^[22] In one notable moment, Beltran hit a ball that touched the outside part of the foul line but was ruled a foul ball, which led to former teammate, Johan Santana, throwing the first no-hitter in Mets' history.^[23]

On June 15, batting against his old team the Kansas City Royals, Beltran became the first switch-hitter in MLB history to attain 300 home runs and 300 stolen bases, with his seventh stolen base in the second inning. He is the eighth player to make the 300-300 club.^[24]

In a June 29 home game versus the Pittsburgh Pirates, Beltran recorded a single in the third inning for his 2,000th hit, becoming the 270th player in MLB history to do so.

The day after he got his 2,000th hit, he collected his 400th Double, becoming the 170th player to do so.

Personal life [edit]

Beltrán is the cousin of outfielder Reymond Fuentes.^[25] Beltran is also a Christian. While sliding into second base for his 300th steal, joining the 300-300 club on June 15, 2012, a cross necklace popped out of his jersey, and after the game, he told a reporter that "all the glory" was God's.^[26]

Since establishing his foundation, Beltrán began a fund with part of his salary, intending to establish a high school focused on developing young athletes.^[27] Construction of the Carlos Beltrán Baseball Academy began in 2009, being established in the municipality of Florida, Puerto Rico.^[27] The project has an estimated cost of six million dollars, being built in a terrain of approximately 30 acres (120,000 m²). The target date for its inauguration is August 2010, accepting students between the ages of 14 to 18 years, with a curriculum that includes instruction by MLB players.^[27]

Beltrán maintains homes in Port Washington, New York and Manatí, Puerto Rico.

Beltrán is currently represented by sports agent Dan Lozano.

Accomplishments [edit]

• American League Rookie of the Year (Kansas City Royals, 1999)
• American League Player of the Month (Kansas City Royals, April 2004)
• Tied single postseason record for home runs (Astros-8)
• Won NL Gold Glove (New York Mets, 2006–2008)
• Won NL Silver Slugger (New York Mets, 2006–2007)
• Won Fielding Bible Award at center field (New York Mets, 2006, 2008)
• Mets single season record holder for runs scored (127) ahead of Edgardo Alfonzo and José Reyes.
• Mets single season record holder for home runs (41) tied with Todd Hundley.
• 7-time All-Star (2004–2007, 2009, 2011-2012)
• 1,000th Run scored (Aug. 12, 2008)
• Highest stolen base percentage in MLB since 2000 (minimum of 250 attempts): 87% (300/344; as of June 17, 2012)
• 1,000th RBI (Apr. 24, 2009)
• 8th player in MLB history to have a 3 2-run HR game (2011)
• 9-time Major League Baseball Player of the Week Award winner (last done: May 14, 2012)
• 1st switch-hitter and 8th player to attain 300 home runs and 300 stolen bases. (Jun. 15, 2012)
• 2,000th Hit (Jun. 29, 2012)
• 400 Doubles (Jun. 30, 2012)
• All-Time Mets team 50th Anniversary - Starting CF

See also [edit]

	Biography portal
	Baseball portal
	Puerto Rico portal

• List of famous Puerto Ricans
• Players from Puerto Rico in MLB
• List of top 300 Major League Baseball home run hitters
• Grand slam leaders
• 30-30 club
• List of Major League Baseball players with 2,000 hits
• List of Major League Baseball players with 400 doubles
• List of Major League Baseball players with 1000 RBIs
• List of Major League Baseball players with 1000 runs
• List of Major League Baseball leaders in career stolen bases
• French immigration to Puerto Rico

References [edit]

External links [edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Carlos Beltrán

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)
• Carlos Beltrán at the Internet Movie Database
• Carlos Beltrán on Twitter