Hopeful Mets introduce Carlos Beltran as manager

The guy behind one of the New York Mets’ most deflating and disappointing moments is now being counted on to lead them to their next championship.

Carlos Beltran, the five-tool player who donned the orange and blue (and black, yuck) from 2005-2011, was introduced as the 22nd manager of the Mets on Monday morning at a press conference at CitiField.

Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen who reminded the throng of reporters on hand that the club went through an extensive hiring process, went into his best sales pitch before introducing Beltran saying he has a high “baseball IQ” and rattled off Beltran’s massive resume that includes his postseason successes.

The GM outlined the five things that won them over about Beltran, who had a strained relationship with the club after this playing days. Van Wagenen said Beltran was “poised” and “trustworthy” with a “growth mindset” who is “committed to beating his opponent” and has an “unrivaled understanding and appreciation of players.”

“Carlos will be a player’s manager,” Van Wagenen said. (Where have he heard that before?)

Beltran said all the right things up on the podium speaking in both English and Spanish. His bilingualism will be a huge help to him as will his experience and reputation.

“I can’t wait to rewrite our story” Beltran said, right after stating,”Baseball is a rollercoaster, guys.”

Met fans know that more than any fan base. Mostly the dips.

From the Mets:

The 42 year-old Beltran spent the past year as a special advisor for the New York Yankees. He last played in the majors in 2017, winning the World Series with the Houston Astros. During his 20-year major league career, he was a nine-time All-Star, three-time Gold Glove Award winner, two-time Silver Slugger Award winner and was named the 1999 American League Rookie of the Year.

 

Beltrán played with the Mets from 2005-2011. He ranks sixth on the club’s all-time list in the following categories: home runs (149), RBI (559), extra-base hits (374), on-base percentage (.369) and slugging percentage (.500).

Beltran was named to the NL All-Star squad five times as a Met with his best season coming in 226 when he smashed 41 HRs, tying the franchise record with Todd Hundley and Mike Piazza.

That was also the season Beltran became the face of Met frustration when he struck out looking with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the ninth in Game 7 of the NLCS versus the St. Louis Cardinals.

In 2008, Beltran hit the final home run by a Mets player at Shea Stadium. He was traded to the San Francisco Giants on July 28, 2011 in exchange for pitching prospect Zack Wheeler.

Now, Beltran is back and Wheeler is headed for free agency.