Carlos Beltrán

At 47 years old, Carlos Beltrán has this physical status:

Carlos Iván Beltrán (Spanish pronunciation: [kaloz [loz]; born April 24, 1977) is a Puerto Rican professional baseball player. He appeared in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1998 to 2017 for the Kansas City Royals, Houston Astros, New York Mets, San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, and Texas Rangers. Beltrán, a right-handed thrower and switch hitter, stands 6 foot (1.85 m) tall and weighs 215 pounds (98 kg).

Beltrán was the American League (AL) Rookie of the Year in 1999 while with the Royals. He was selected to nine MLB All-Star Games and collected three Gold Glove Awards and two Silver Slugger Awards. Beltrán was the fifth player to reach both 400 home runs and 300 stolen bases, as well as the fourth switch hitter with 400 home runs. He has the highest success rate in stealing bases (88.3%) of any major league player with 300 or more attempts. In 2004, he joined the 30-30 Club for the second time. Beltrán was named recipient of the coveted Roberto Clemente Award in 2013. He retired after the 2017 season after winning a World Series title with the Houston Astros.

Beltrán was one of the best all-time statistical hitters in playoff games, earning him nicknames like "The New Mr. October", "Mr. Oct. 30, Jr.," "Seor Octubre," and "the authentic Mr. October" from the media. He hit 21 runs in 56 plate appearances during the 2004 playoffs, setting a record for the most runs scored in a single postseason (Jose Altuve has since tied the record).

During the 2017 championship season, Beltrán was named as the alleged master of the Astros' illicit sign stealing program. Following an investigation by league officials, the commissioner, and the media, the scandal emerged in late 2019. Beltrán, the Mets' manager who had just been hired as the Mets' manager, resigned without being able to handle a game.

Early life

Beltrán excelled in many sports as a youth, with volleyball and baseball being his favorites. He resisted volleyball to focus on baseball at seventeen years old at his father's behest. He was a shortstop before transferring to the outfield. In 1995, he graduated from Fernando Callejo High School.

Personal life

Beltrán and his partner Jessica have two children and one son. They are residents of New York City. Rey Fuentes, Beltrán's cousin, is also a baseball player and has also played for the Royals. Matthew Lugo, the Red Sox's nephew, was drafted by the Red Sox in 2019.

Beltrán is a Christian. A cross necklace popped out of his jersey after the game, and God's was God's. Beltrán was one of 24 people to endorse George W. Bush's reelection bid in 2004.

Beltrán's foundation started a fund with a portion of his salary in the hopes of establishing a high school focusing on developing young athletes. The Carlos Beltrán Baseball Academy was established in 2009 in the municipality of Florida, Puerto Rico. Beltrán donated over $4 million to the academy, which was located on 20 acres (81,000 m2) of land donated by the local government. The school opened in 2011 and finished with its first class in June 2013. It accepts students from the ages of 14 to 18, with a curriculum that incorporates instruction by MLB players.

Beltrán was named winner of Sports Illustrated's inaugural Hope Award in 2017 for his efforts in assisting Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria's devastation of Puerto Rico.

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Professional career

In the second round of the 1995 Major League Baseball draft, the Kansas City Royals selected Beltrán. The Royals assigned him to the Rookie-level Gulf Coast Royals of the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League after he signed. He batted.276 with no home runs, despite being limited to right-handed. Beltrán learned how to strike left-handed during the offseason, with support from New York Yankees outfielder Bernie Williams and Royals minor league coach Kevin Long. In 1996, he competed for the Spokane Indians of the Class A-Short Season Northwest League and the Lansing Lugnuts of the Class A Midwest League. He spent the entire season of the Class A-Advanced Carolina League in Wilmington, South Carolina. He began his career with Wilmington in 1998 and was given a promotion to the Wichita Wranglers of the Class AA Texas League.

Beltrán made his major league debut on September 14, 1998, playing 15 games. He never played in Triple-A, unlike many other players. Beltrán had 16 hits, 5 doubles, 3 triples, and 7 RBIs in 14 games of the 1998 baseball season, with a.276 batting average.

He began working as the Royals' starting center fielder and leadoff hitter by 1999. He was recalled to the third slot in the batting order by midsummer and had a good deal by mid-season. Beltrán received the American League Rookie of the Year award, batting.293 with 22 home runs, 108 runs batted in (RBIs) and 27 stolen bases in 156 games played. Beltrán made the final out at Tiger Stadium on September 27, 1999, knocking out relief pitcher Todd Jones as the Detroit Tigers defeated the Royals 8–2.

Beltrán was limited to 98 games during the 2000 season, but he fell to.247, losing his center field position to the coveted Johnny Damon. Beltrán regained his job in 2001 and regained his rookie form after Damon was traded to the Oakland Athletics following the season. In that season, he batted.306 with 24 home runs and 101 RBIs, followed by lines of.273-29-105 in 2002 and.307-26-100 in 2003.

Beltrán batted.194 in April 2003. Beltrán's fortune changed in 2004, as he began the year with eight home runs and 19 RBIs and was named as American League Player of the Month for April.

Beltrán batted.278 with 15 home runs, 51 RBI, and 14 stolen bases in the first 69 games of the 2004 season. Beltrán, who plays for a small market club and represented by agent Scott Boras, has seen trade rumors from 2003 to 2004. The two sides struggled to reach an agreement long-term when his term came to an end. Following a two-header loss to the last-place Montreal Expos, Royals General Manager Allard Baird told reporters that he was planning to dismantle the team and rebuild it for the 2005 season.

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

Beltrán, a Royal, had been selected as an AL starting outfielder for the 2004 All-Star Game. Beltrán was found ineligible for the AL roster and was not on the NL roster after being traded to the Astros, and was not on the NL roster. Beltrán was named his replacement after NL starter Ken Griffey Jr. was put on the disabled list.

Beltrán played 90 games with 23 home runs, 53 RBI, and 28 stolen bases in the remainder of the 2004 season with the Astros. Beltrán appeared in 159 games with a.267 batting average, 38 stolen bases, 104 RBI, and 121 runs scored in 2004, combining with both teams he played for.

Beltrán tied Barry Bonds for his single post-season record of eight home runs in the 2004 playoffs. In each of the first four games of the National League Championship Series (NLCS), he scored one, including the game-winner in Game 4. Counting his two home runs against the Atlanta Braves in Game 5 of the National League Division Series (NLDS), Beltrán clubbed at least one home run in a historic postseason game, outnumbered only by Daniel Murphy's home runs in six consecutive postseason games in 2015. Beltrán batted.435 with 14 RBIs and 21 runs scored in 12 games in the 2004 playoffs.

Beltrán became a free agent following the 2004 season. Beltrán had been reportedly offering the New York Yankees a $19 million discount, and they were tipped as favorites. The Yankees collapsed and the New York Mets announced him to a seven-year, $119 million contract, the most significant in franchise history at the time. It was the tenth appearance in baseball to top $100 million.

Beltrán was seriously injured after colliding head to head with fellow Mets outfielder Mike Cameron when they were attempting to catch a ball in shallow right center field at Petco Park on August 11, 2005. Cameron missed the remainder of the season due to a concussion, temporary vision loss, and two broken cheekbones. Beltrán had vertigo for a while, but both players recovered.

He was crippled by a quadriceps injury early in the 2005 season and he's hampered with his speed. Beltrán's records included career lows in batting average (.266), home runs (16), RBIs (78), runs scored (83), and stolen bases (17). Despite his limited attendance, he was also elected to his second All-Star team.

Beltrán competed for Puerto Rico in the 2006 World Baseball Classic, teaming Carlos Delgado, Bernie Williams, Javier Vázquez, Iván Rodrzquez, Iván Rodrán, and others on the team coached by St. Louis Cardinals third base coach José Oquendo. His 2006 season marked an improvement over his first year in New York. In May, he surpassed his home run total from the previous year before the season was half over. Beltrán's success earned him a spot in the 2006 All-Star Game, his third appearance. Five other Mets followed him, three of whom were starters. Beltrán was the only batter with multiple hits in the NL, as well as two stolen bases. In the third innings, he led the National League by a 2–1 lead, but the American League won the game. On July 16 and 18, he scored grand slams in consecutive games, becoming the 23rd player to do so. He was the third Met to reach three in one season after another grand slam at the end of July. Beltrán continued to perform against the St. Louis Cardinals on August 22, off Cardinals closer Jason Isringhausen. After a 16th-inning gamewinner against the Phillies, Beltrán's second walk-off of the season was his second walk-off of the season.

Beltrán's 41 home runs tied for the Mets' single season home run record, beating Todd Hundley's total in 1996. (This record was broken by Pete Alonso in 2019.) His 127 runs scored gave him sole possession of the Mets' single season franchise record. José Reyes, his colleague, and himself received the Silver Slugger Award at their respective positions. He also tied for the best time on an error (13).

Beltrán's defense was also praised during the 2006 season, when he received his first Gold Glove award. He made only two mistakes out of 372 attempts to give him a.995 fielding percentage, and he had 13 outfield assists and six double plays. He has also received the top fielding center field fielder in baseball, as the best fielding center field fielder in MLB. Beltrán placed fourth in the National League MVP award voting, behind winner Ryan Howard, Albert Pujols, and Lance Berkman. Beltrán, who is back in the playoffs, scored three home runs in the NLCS, raising his career playoff total to 11 home runs in 22 games. Beltrán struck out against Adam Wainwright in Game 7 of the NLCS against the Cardinals, but not before the New York Mets season with the bases loaded and two outs.

Beltrán's 2007 records fell below.230 from May to July. However, he did well in August and September, posting a.276 batting average and 112 RBIs. He made his fourth All-Star Game appearance in July and then earned his second straight Gold Glove Award after the season's end.

Beltrán batted.284 with 27 home runs and 112 RBI in 2008, an unprecedented performance. Beltrán played his 15th home run of the season in the final game before the All-Star game. Beltrán had all five RBIs for the Mets, including a grand slam with two outs in the 9th, giving the Mets a 5–2 lead. This game was a success for the Mets 5–4. In the last regular season game at Shea Stadium, Beltrán scored the last and only Mets home run (nobody was Dave Uggla). Against the Florida Marlins, the home run tied the game 2–2 for the first time. Beltrán received his third straight Gold Glove award in the Mets' outfield. In 2008, he received his second Fielding Bible Award as the best MLB center field fielder.

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

Beltrán came third in the 2009 All Star Game's poll (2,812,295 votes), behind only Ryan Braun (4,138,559) and Ral Iba (4,53,355).

Beltrán had knee surgery on January 13, 2010 and was expected to miss 8–12 weeks. Dr. Richard Steadman, Beltrán's personal physician, underwent the operation. The Mets reported that the surgery was carried out without their permission, and the team expressed their dissatisfaction with Beltrán's decision. However, Beltrán's rep, Scott Boras, said that the Mets consented to the procedure. Beltrán played his first game of the 2010 season on July 15.

Beltrán was moved from center field to right field due to his weak defense in 2011. Beltrán, a 9-5 Mets' triumph, hit three two-run home runs on May 12, 2011, against the Colorado Rockies. It was his first three-home run game of his career, and he became the eighth Mets hitter to reach three home runs in a single game.

After he waived his no-trade policy, the Mets traded Beltrán to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for pitching prospect Zack Wheeler on July 28, 2011. Beltrán's remaining $6.5 million deal, which came to an end at the end of the 2011 season, was also covered by the Mets.

Beltrán hit the Giants on the first day (an RBI single to left field in the first inning) while playing right field against the Cincinnati Reds on the day after the trade. In thirteen innings, the Giants eventually lost to the Reds 4–3.

Beltrán's starting pitcher Mat Latos scored two home runs against San Diego Padres starting pitcher Beltrán on September 14, both solo home runs. The shot gave him 20 home runs on the season and 300 for his career. Beltrán had never been to Latos before this game. Beltrán batting from the left side of the field, and both home runs were struck to the right side of the field. The 299th made the arcade run, while the 300th in McCovey Cove, which raised the "Splash Hit" count to 59. Both home runs proved to be vital as the Giants thrashed the Padres in a 3-game series with a score of 3–1. Out of the 14 runs, his home runs in the series earned him 4 runs out of 4.

Beltrán was batting.323 with 7 home runs and 18 RBI in the remainder of the 2011 season for the Giants. Beltrán played in 142 games in 2011 for both teams he competed for, with 22 home runs and 84 RBI.

Beltrán agreed to a two-year contract with the St. Louis Cardinals worth $26 million, which included a complete no-trade clause. Beltrán, the Cardinals' owner, has achieved a number of milestones, personal and also other firsts.

Beltrán hit Josh Johnson of the Miami Marlins in the first time in a regular-season game against the Miami Marlins on April 4, 2012. Beltrán was named NL Player of the Week on May 14 after he hit.360 (9-for-25) with six home runs, 13 RBIs, eight runs, and 30 total bases for a 1.200 slugging percentage and 1.648 OPS in the previous six games. In five of the six games, he did a fine job in five of the six games and homered in four of them. It was his ninth weekly award and sixth in the United Kingdom.

The audience gave him a standing ovation on June 1, his first game in New York after he had left the Mets. In one rare game in which former teammate Johan Santana was credited with throwing the first no-hitter in Mets history, a Beltrán batted ball touched the outside part of the foul line but was declared a foul ball. Beltrán stole second base in the second inning, defeating another former team in the Kansas City Royals, making him the first switch-hitter in MLB history to reach 300 home runs and 300 stolen bases and his eighth player overall.

He struck a single in the third inning for his 2,000th hit in a home game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on June 29, becoming the 270th player to do so in MLB history. Beltrán hit his 2,000th double on the day, becoming the 170th player to do so. Beltrán has also participated in the Home Run Derby that year.

Beltrán was selected as the starting center fielder for the Mets All-Time Team, according to the Mets.

Beltrán had 1 hit in 4 at-bats in his first postseason game since 2006, scoring a run in the 4th inning in the 2012 National League Wild Card Game. Beltrán went 8-18 at the plate against the Nationals in the NLDS, with 2 home runs and 4 RBI. Beltrán hit a leadoff double off Drew Storen in game 5 of the NLDS, and later scored two outs on a Daniel Descalso single. The Cardinals will win the game 9–7.

Beltrán batted.300 with 2 RBI and 2 stolen bases in the 2012 National League Championship Series. After suffering a knee injury, he appeared in 6 of the seven games in the series, but he skipped the majority of game 3 and all of game 4. Beltrán, who was playing in his third NLCS game 7 at the start of his career, went 1–4 at the plate when the Cardinals lost 0–9 to the Giants.

Beltrán appeared in 145 games in 2013, with a.296 batting average, 24 home runs, and 84 RBI. Beltrán played in his 2,000th game on July 11, 2013. He was chosen for his third straight All-Star Game this month. Beltrán was the recipient of the Roberto Clemente Award in October, becoming the fourth Cardinals player to win it, joining Albert Pujols, Ozzie Smith, and Lou Brock.

Beltrán had 4 hits in 18 at-bats in the 2013 National League Division Series against the Pirates, with 2 home runs and 6 RBI in the series. Beltrán scored a double at the bottom of the 3rd inning to tie the game 2–2. Beltrán threw out Mark Ellis at the plate after taking the lead at the 10th inning despite the game still tied 2–2 on the game, putting an end to the Dodgers' double-play that kept the Dodgers from taking the lead. Beltrán hit a walk-off single off the roof of Kenley Jansen, giving the Cardinals a 3–2 win. Beltrán had 6 hits and 6 RBI in 21 at-bats for the complete NLCS. Beltrán retired from the first World Series in his career, while the Cardinals won the series 42-22.

Beltrán suffered his ribs in the 2nd inning after robbing David Ortiz of a grand slam in Game 1 of the 2013 World Series against the Red Sox. Despite the injury, Beltrán would play in all six games of the season, batting.294 with 5 hits and 3 RBI as the Cardinals lost to the Red Sox four games to two.

Since the World Series came to an end on October 30, Beltrán applied for a free agency. Beltrán turned down a one-year, $14.1 million qualifying bid from the Cardinals on Friday, making him a free agent.

Despite receiving a $48 million bid from another team, Beltrán agreed to a three-year, $45 million contract to join the New York Yankees on December 6, 2013. On December 19, 2013, the agreement was signed.

Beltrán played first base for the first time in his professional career after Francisco Cervelli left the game due to a hamstring injury. Beltrán complained of swollenness in his right elbow on the night of May 12, 2014. It was discovered that the elbow had a bone spur and was immediately shot with a cortisone. On May 15, 2014, he was put on the 15-day disabled list. He was activated on June 5, 2014. He was mostly used as a designated hitter for the remainder of the season to prevent any more damage to the elbow.

Beltrán stayed with the team for an indefinite amount of time due to his wife's miscarriage. Beltrán batted.233 with 15 home runs and 49 RBI in 2014, limiting to 109 games. He underwent surgery on October 1, 2014 to fix loose pieces and a bone spur in his right elbow, which took 12 weeks to recover. Dr. Christopher Ahmad, the Yankees' head team physician, was involved in the procedure.

Beltrán got off to a slow start in 2015, batting around.200 to April. He slowly improved throughout the season and had a batting average of over 280 in September. Beltrán was placed on the 15-day disabled list with an oblique injury on July 3, 2013. On July 19, he was activated. Beltrán hit a pinch-hit 3-run home run in the 8th inning against the Blue Jays on August 14, the eighth inning. It was the game winner and temporarily put the Yankees back in 1st place. On August 31, the Boston Red Sox defeated him in a doubleheader. Beltrán's season came to an end with 19 home runs, 67 RBIs, and a.276 average in 133 games.

Beltrán had 1 hit in 4 at-bats against the Astros in the 2015 American League Wild Card Game against the Astros.

Beltrán made his 84th appearance on April 25, 2016, becoming the first player to make 10,000 career plate appearances. He took his 2,473rd career against the Texas Rangers on April 27 to top Ted Simmons for tenth place on the all-time list for switch-hitters. Beltrán played his 400th home run against the Chicago White Sox on May 15, the third Puerto Rican-born player to do so, as well as the fourth to do so with 300 stolen bases and 500 doubles. Beltrán, who has been home for his 2,500th appearance, congratulated Matt Moore of the Tampa Bay Rays for his fourth Puerto Rican-born player to reach the milestone, as well as the 99th player to reach 2,500 hits. He became Alex Rodriguez, Barry Bonds, and Willie Mays' fourth player to reach 2,500 hits, 400 stolen bases, and 1,000 walks.

Beltrán became the 38th player to reach 1,000 base hits on June 7, becoming the 38th player to reach 1,000 base hits. He was selected to his ninth All-Star Game at Petco Park in San Diego. In a 5-3 loss to the Boston Red Sox on July 15, he became the 55th player and fourth switch-hitter to reach 1,500 RBIs for his career. Beltrán batted.304 with 22 home runs and 64 RBIs in 99 games with the Yankees.

Beltrán was traded by the Texas Rangers to prospects Dillon Tate, Erik Swanson, and Nick Green on August 1, 2016. Beltrán's first home run for Texas against Baltimore on August 3rán, who also scored his 1,500th run on the play. Beltrán said he had "no plans to retire" at the end of the season, in contrast to his pre-season statements. Beltrán played in 151 games between the Yankees and Rangers with a.295 average, 29 home runs, and 93 RBIs.

Beltrán was 2–11 with 1 RBI in three games as the Rangers were defeated by the Blue Jays 3–0 in the 2016 ALDS.

Beltrán agreed to return to the Houston Astros as their designated hitter on December 3, 2016. His teammates held a mock funeral for his glove on July 17, after not having played in the field for two months.

The Astros won 101 games and clinched the AL West division title for the second time in franchise history, winning at least 100 games. In the best-of-five ALDS, the Boston Red Sox met the Boston Red Sox. Beltrán earned the ALDS for the Astros in Game 4 on October 9, hitting a ninth-inning RBI double that turned into the deciding run.

In seven games, the Astros defeated one of Beltrán's former clubs, the Yankees, in the ALCS. It was the second time Beltrán's career as the Astros advanced to the World Series, where they defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers. Beltrán made three plate appearances in three games over the course of the season, going 0–3. Beltrán has been a World Series champion since the Astros defeated the Dodgers in seven games. Beltrán announced his retirement from playing on November 13, 2017.

It was revealed in the Houston Astros sign stealing case that the Astros had violated MLB rules during the 2017 season three years ago. Beltrán was the master of a sign-stealing scheme that involved banning trash cans in the dugout during at-bats to warn of upcoming pitches to the batter at the plate, according to his Astros teammates. Even though some of them did not want to, Beltran told his colleagues that he had persuaded them to follow the scheme.

Beltrán denied that the Astros had illegally obtained signs when the scandal broke. However, MLB later revealed that the Astros had illegally obtained signs and gave out fines to the team; Beltrán was the only player named in the commissioner's report. Beltrán later apologised for his role in the scandal.

Beltrán had a.279 batting average (2,725-for-9,768) with 1,582 runs, 565 triples, 435 home runs, 1,084 bases on balls, and a.486 slugging percentage in 2,586 games over 20 years. He finished his career with a 98 percent fielding percentage, mainly at center and right field. Beltrán batted.307 (66-for-215) in 65 games during the season, with 45 runs, 15 doubles, 16 home runs, 42 RBI, 11 stolen bases, and 37 walks. In four separate playoff series, he crossed the 1.000 OPS mark. During the playoffs, Beltrán had a 100 percent stolen base percentage (11-for-11), which are the most stolen bases without being caught.

International career

Beltrán has competed in the World Baseball Classic (2006, 2009, and 2017) for Team Puerto Rico. He batted 4th in the lineup as the team's designated hitter in the 2017 World Baseball Classic. Beltrán was named to the 2017 All-World Baseball Classic team following the conclusion of the tournament, which was won by the United States after beating Puerto Rico in the final.

Post-playing career

Following the 2017 season, the New York Yankees' managerial job became open, for which Beltrán was interviewed. Aaron Boone was eventually selected to be the Yankees' boss by the Yankees. Beltrán was hired as a special advisor to general manager Brian Cashman in December 2018.

The Mets signed Beltrán as their manager on November 1, 2019, extending Mickey Callaway's contract to a three-year deal with a club option for a fourth year. However, the Houston Astros announced on January 16, 2020, the only player named in the Houston Astros' sign stealing case before Beltrán ever played a single single note, but he and the Mets decided to partet a game.

Beltran was hired as a game analyst by the YES Network on January 28, 2022.

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