Carlos Beltran: The Mets Years (2005 - 2011)
The switch-hitting outfielder was drafted in the second round of the 1995 draft by the Kansas City Royals at age 18. He was highly touted as a five-tool player. quickly getting called up to the big leagues by 1998.
Beltran quickly became popular with the fans. Beltran & Pedro Martinez also acquired that off season, via free agency, help changed the organization around.
Multi- Three RBI Game: On April 10th in Atlanta, with the Mets down 2-1 in the 8th inning, Carlos hit a two run HR off John Smoltz for his second HR of the year leading to the eventual 6-1 win. In the top of the 9th, he added an RBI single in another multi-RBI game.
2005 All Star: Beltran & Mike Piazza represented the Mets at the All-Star Game at Comercia Park. Carlos was the fourth Mets player to make an All-Star team in their first season with the team, with Piazza being the last to make it in 1998. Beltran was just the third Mets outfielder (Darryl Strawberry & Dave Kingman) to make a start in an All-Star game. Both players were starters, with Beltran playing in left field. He collected a double off Bartolo Colon, going 1-3 in the NL loss.
Outfield Collision with Mike Cameron: On August 11th, at Petco Park in San Diego, in the bottom of the 7th inning, the Padres David Ross hit a fly ball into right field beyond second base. Carls Beltran & Mike Cameron both went for the ball full force, the two collided in one of the worst outfield collisions in Mets history.
From September 2nd to September 10th, Carlos had a season high ten game hit streak, batting
.333 with eight runs scored.
In the 2006 off season, the Mets made even bigger moves than the previous year. They signed slugger Carlos Delgado, catcher Paul LoDuca & closer Billy Wagner. The Mets were ready to compete for a Championship. The addition of the big bats around Beltran & his second year in New York resulted in a big year.
2006 Mets NL Eastern Champion Season:
In June, from June 7th to June 15th he drove in runs in eight straight games, having five multiple RBI games totaling 16 RBIs in that stretch.
Four Hit Multi- HR Games: On June 9th, he hit two HRs coming off the Diamondbacks Miguel Batista & Brandon Medders. Beltran collected four hits in the 10-6 win in Arizona. He also had his eleventh four runs scored game.
On June 13th, he continued to kill the Phils with another HR & a pair of RBIs in a 9-7 Mets win. The next night he collected his 1200th career hit.
2006 All Star Game: Beltran made his second straight start in the outfield as a Mets player in
the 2006 All-Star Game in Pittsburgh, PA. This year he was joined by David Wright starting at third as well as reserves Jose Reyes, Paul LoDuca, Tom Glavine & Pedro Martinez.
After the break, Carlos continued to have a big July, becoming the fifth Mets player to hit 10 HRs with at least 30 RBIs in a month. He also scored 23 runs & had a 1.003 OPA.
He hit two HRs in the July 2nd subway series game, although the Mets lost the game.
It was his 27th HR of the season, coming in an 8-3 Mets win.
Player of the Week Award: From July 23rd to July 30th, he hit .333 with ten hits, 5 HRs 15 RBIs winning his second Player of the Week Award of the season, his sixth overall.
Grand Slam HR & Five RBI Game: On July 30th, in the next game, Beltran hit his third grand slam of the month. Coming off Chuck James in the 2nd inning. He was the first Mets player to hit three grand slams in a month & just the 9th in MLB history.
Walk Off HR: On August 22nd, he hit his second walk off HR of the year, coming off the Cardinals Jason Isringhausen, for an 8-7 win, in a preview of that years NLCS. It was the fourth walk off HR of his career.
40 HR Mark: On September 11th in a loss in Florida, he hit his 40th HR of the season, coming off Anibal Sanchez in the 4th inning. He became just the third Mets player (Mike Piazza & Todd Hundley) to hit 40 HRs in a season. It was the second most single season HRs in franchise history.
Mets Single Season Runs Scored Record: On September 30th, in a 13-0 win over the National's in D.C. he scored his final four runs of the regular season, setting a Mets franchise record of 127.
2006 Post Season- NLDS: In the first two games of the NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Beltran was hitless.
In Game #3 he had two hits, including an RBI single in the top of the 6th inning. In that inning the Mets scored three runs with three straight RBI base hits off Jonathan Broxton.
Beltran's RBI gave the Mets a 7-5 lead enroute to their 9-5 win. The Mets advanced to the NLCS for the first time since 2000.
2006 NLCS: In Game #1 of the NLCS against the St. Louis Cardinals, Beltran was the hitting star of the game as he hit a two run HR off Jeff Weaver in the bottom of the 6th inning.
In Game #3 at St. Louis, Betran got one hit-a 1st inning single, going 1-4 in the Mets 5-0 loss.
In the Mets Game #5 loss, Beltran went 1-4 with a 1st inning single off Jeff Weaver.
In Game #7, Beltran doubled off Jeff Suppan in the 1st inning then scored on David Wright's RBI single. After making out the next two at bats, he drew a leadoff walk in the 8th inning but was left on base.
The score was tied at 1-1 until the top of the 9th inning when Yadier Molina hit a two run HR off Aaron Heilman. In the bottom of the 9th, Jose Valentin & Endy Chavez both got aboard with base hits. Chavez had excited the crowd earlier with a HR saving catch leaping above the left field fence.
Beltran would watch a third strike looking at Wainwright's curve ball, ending the game. The Mets dream of getting to the World Series was over.
2007: In the Opening Day Mets win, he would collect an RBI hit in the 6-1 win in St. Louis. Beltran hit safely in the first nine games.
Multi-HR Game: On April 4th, Carlos hit two HRs in the 10-0 John Maine combined Mets shut out win.
On April 18th- April 19th, he homered in back-to-back wins in Florida, collecting four hits & five RBIs in the two games. On April 18th he hit a two run HR off Dontrelle Willis & an RBI single.
Carlos fell off in May batting just .234 with two HRs. In the first two weeks of June, he only hit .143 with one RBI. But then from June 17th to June 30th he hit .327 & drove in 13 runs.
On July 7th in Houston, after going 0-6, he came to bat in the top of the 17th inning with two on & the Mets tied at three with the Astros. Beltran delivered an RBI single off Brian Moehler leading to the Mets win.
Multi-HR Four RBI Game: On August 19th in DC, he hit HRs off the Nat's Chris Schroder & Shawn Hill, driving in four runs in the Mets 8-2 win.
To his credit, Beltran had 45 RBIs in his last 47 starts. He hit 7 HRs with 25 RBIs & hit safely in 13 of the last 15 games. During the teams five game losing streak in the final week, he hit three HRs including another multi-two HR game in a 9-6 loss to the Washington Nat's. But in the final four games he was a dismal 1-18.
Multi- Five RBI Game: In the first game of a May 10th double header, Beltran had five RBIs in the first game, in a 12-6 Mets win. In the 3rd inning he collected an RBI single. In the 6th inning he cleared the bases with a three-run triple off Mike Lincoln. He would be second to Jose Reyes with five triples on the season.
Walk Off HR: On June11th at Shea, Beltran hit 4th inning two run single to put the Mets ahead of Arizona 2-0. The d-backs tied the game, in the bottom of the 13th inning, with the score tied, a runner on & two outs, Beltran hit a two-run walk off HR off Edgar Gonzales to beat Arizona 5-3. It was his fifth career walk off HR & first walk off HR since August 2006.
In the first nine games of July, he drove in ten runs,
On August 24th, Carlos had another multi-HR game with three RBIs but the Mets lost to the
Astros maintaining a half game lead. They won seven of nine to build up their lead to three games.
Grand Slam HR & Five RBI Game: On August 29th, in Florida the Mets were down 2-1 to the Marlins. With the bases loaded & two outs, Beltran hit his eighth career grand slam HR, coming off Kevin Gregg leading the Mets to a 5-2 comeback win. Carlos had had a 1st inning RBI sac fly matching his season high five RBIs. The last time a Mets player hit a 9th inning come from behind grand slam since Benny Agbayani's slam in Japan in 2000.
Walk Off Hit: On September 25th, he collected a walk off single off the Cubs Kevin Hart. The Mets were now just one game behind the Phillies with three games left to play.
Trivia: On September 28th, Carlos Beltran hit the last HR by a Mets player in Shea Stadium. It was the final game played at Shea Stadium.
In 2008 Beltran played in all but one Mets game, batting .284 with 47 multi-hit games. Beltran hit 27 HRs (third on the club). He hit 40 doubles (second to David Wright) marking the second time in his career he hit 40 or more doubles.
For the second straight year, he had 112 RBIs (third on the club). Beltran had 27 multi-RBI games. He struck out 96 times, walked 92 times his highest total since 2006. He posted a .376 on base % (15th in the NL) & .876 OPS.
He stole 25 bases, the most for a single season in his Mets career. It marked his seventh season of 20 HRs & 20 stolen bases.
1000th Career RBI: On April 24th at Citi Field, in the bottom of the 3rd inning, Beltran tripled off the Nat's Scott Olsen driving in Luis Castillo for his 1000th career RBI in the Mets 4-3 win.
Walk Off Walk: On May 12th, in a game against Atlanta, he drew a walk in the bottom of the 9th inning with the bases loaded, bringing in Jose Reyes with the game winning run.
On June 21st, Beltran would go down with a knee injury that would keep him out almost three months. At the time the Mets were still in second place but barely over the .500 mark at 28-24.
2009 All Star: Beltran made his fourth All-Star team as a Mets player. He received the third highest votes for NL Outfielders. Due to his injury, he did not play in the game.
On September 8th, when he returned to action, the Mets were 62-76 in fourth place, 17 games back. In his return he doubled going 1-4 in the 4-2 loss to the Marlins at Citi Field. Two nights later hit a HR & collected three hits in a 10-9 Mets win over the Phils.
On July 15th, Beltran returned to action. The Mets were 48-41 five games behind the Atlanta Braves in second place at the time of his return. They finished 79-83 in a disappointing fourth place. That year the club fired GM Omar Minaya & Jerry Manuel was through as manager.
In the top of the 1st, he hit a two-run shot off Ubaldo Jiminez. In the bottom of the 7th he hit a two-run shot off Franklin Morales & then in the 9th hit another two-run shot off Matt Lindstrom. All three times Willie Harris was on base for New York.
It was the first time in his career he hit three HRs in a game. Beltran was the 8th Mets player to accomplish the feat. Since then, thru the 2024 season, 14 Mets players have hit three HRs in a game.
From then on thru July, he would hit six more HRs
On June 2nd, in a 9-8 win over the Pirates at Dhea, he led the way with four RBIs, including a three run HR off Paul Maholm for his eighth HR of the year.
Mets Career Stats: In his seven-year Mets career, Beltran is second behind Mookie Wilson in games played in center field (723).
Mets Career: In 2005 Beltran took over the centerfield job from Mike Cameron. Cameron moved over to left field but was not happy with the move.
Quotes- Mike Cameron: "Carlos is no doubt one of the best, if not the best defensive centerfielders in the game, and one of the best in Mets history. He plays with a smooth style, covers great range, goes back on a ball better than anyone, and had a strong accurate arm."
Quotes- Mike Cameron: "Carlos is no doubt one of the best, if not the best defensive centerfielders in the game, and one of the best in Mets history. He plays with a smooth style, covers great range, goes back on a ball better than anyone, and had a strong accurate arm."
Beltran quickly became popular with the fans. Beltran & Pedro Martinez also acquired that off season, via free agency, help changed the organization around. That year, the Mets led by new manager Willie Randolph, finished third with 83 wins. Seven more wins than the previous season & an winning record.
2005: On Opening Day Beltran made a spectacular debut. He collected three hits & three RBIs, including a 3rd inning two run HR. But the Mets took a heartbreaking bottom of the 9th inning loss to the Reds when Adam Dunn & Joe Randa both homered off Bradon Looper.
Multi- Three RBI Game: On April 10th in Atlanta, with the Mets down 2-1 in the 8th inning, Carlos hit a two run HR off John Smoltz for his second HR of the year leading to the eventual 6-1 win. In the top of the 9th, he added an RBI single in another multi-RBI game. 1000th Career Hit: On April 18th, in a loss at Philadelphia, his 9th inning base hit off Randy Wolf was his 1000th career hit.
On April 21st, he hit his third HR of the year, a two-run shot in Florida off John Riedling. He had three RBIs in the 10-1 over the Marlins. He finished his first month as a Met batting at .300, where he would stay until early June before dropping off.
Multi- Three RBI Game: On May 2nd, with the Mets down 2-1 to the Phillies at Shea, he hit a three run HR off Terry Adams leading to the 5-1 win for Pedro Martinez.
On May 7th, he had his first multi-HR game, hitting two round trippers in Milwaukee in a 7-5 win over the Brewers. On June 16th, in Oakland, he put the Mets ahead for good with a 5th inning, three run HR off Ryan Glynn.
After the break in a homestand with the Padres & Dodgers he collected seven RBIs over a four-game span with three multi-RBI games.
Multi-Four Hit Game: On July 14th, in a 6-3 win over the Braves at Shea, he collected his 12th career four hit game.
On August 5th in a 9-5 win over the Cubs at Shea, Beltran collected three hits & drove in a run. In the top of the 8th inning, he stole his 200th career base. At that point he had the highest stolen base % with players who had 200 or more career stolen bases. From August 10th to August 19th, he stole a base in five straight games. That month he stole nine bases in 12 games.
Beltran suffered a concussion & facial fracture. He also would suffer from vertigo but missed just four games, returning to the line up a week later. Cameron would miss the rest of the year with a concussion & a temporary loss of vision.
.333 with eight runs scored.
Eighth Multi-Three RBI Game of the Season: On September 23rd in a tied game in D.C. he hit a three-run 10th inning HR off Gary Majewski leading the Mets to the win.
He was obviously affected by the August 11th collision, as well as a quadriceps injury that bothered him throughout the season.
Beltran's first season in New York was an adjusting one as he hit just .266 with 16 HRs 78 RBIs & a .744 OPS. All career lows at that point in his career, in seasons where he played over 100 games. On a positive note, he hit 34 doubles, had 17 solen bases, 15 game winning hits, 18 multi-RBI games & 36 multi-hit games. He also hit .298 with runners in scoring position.
In the 2006 off season, the Mets made even bigger moves than the previous year. They signed slugger Carlos Delgado, catcher Paul LoDuca & closer Billy Wagner. The Mets were ready to compete for a Championship. The addition of the big bats around Beltran & his second year in New York resulted in a big year.2006 Mets NL Eastern Champion Season:
On April 6th, in the third game of the season, Beltran homered off the Nat's Joey Eischen, a two shot for his first HR of the season. He added a sac fly & ground out RBIs to have his first multi-four RBI game of the season. He would have six games with four or more RBIs on the year.
He hit two more HRs over the next seven games & closed out April with 4 HRs & 10 RBIs in 14 games played.
Beltran began May with four HRs in the first week. He hit HRs in three straight games from May 5th to May7th with the Mets taking two of three wins in those games. On May 19th, he hit his 11th HR of the season. It came in the subway series off Randy Johnson, he drove in three runs in that game where David Wright hit a walk off base hit off Mariano Rivera. Beltran had homered the day before as well.
Beltran began May with four HRs in the first week. He hit HRs in three straight games from May 5th to May7th with the Mets taking two of three wins in those games. On May 19th, he hit his 11th HR of the season. It came in the subway series off Randy Johnson, he drove in three runs in that game where David Wright hit a walk off base hit off Mariano Rivera. Beltran had homered the day before as well.
Walk Off HR: On May 23rd, he had his first Mets Walk off hit, a HR off the Phillies Ryan Madson, breaking an 8-8 tie.
The next day he hit another HR, his 13th, this one started a comeback where the Mets topped the Phillies 5-4.
Beltran would hit ten HRs that month, twice doing it in back-to-back games. He also drove in 26 runs that month.
Beltran would hit ten HRs that month, twice doing it in back-to-back games. He also drove in 26 runs that month.
In June, from June 7th to June 15th he drove in runs in eight straight games, having five multiple RBI games totaling 16 RBIs in that stretch. NL Player of the Week: For the week ending June 11th he won the NL Player of the Week Award for the first time that season. That week he hit .411 with 3 HRs three doubles 12 RBIs & five stolen bases.
On June 7th he drove in two runs helping in a 9-7 win over the Dodgers in Los Angles. In the next game in a 7-1 win at Arizona, he hit his 15th HR of the season, coming off Claudio Vargas.
On July 2nd, in the subway series loss he had another four hit, multi-two HR game, with HRs off TJ Beam & Scott Proctor. In that game he tied his career high with 11 total bases.
On June 13th, he continued to kill the Phils with another HR & a pair of RBIs in a 9-7 Mets win. The next night he collected his 1200th career hit.
Multi- Three RBI Game: On June 25th, in Toronto, he hit one of three Mets HRs, a three-run shot off Josh Towers helping his team to a 7-4 win.
From June 26th to June 29th, he closed out the month with three HRs 6 RBIs in four games. He hit eight HRs with 25 RBIs in June.
From June 26th to June 29th, he closed out the month with three HRs 6 RBIs in four games. He hit eight HRs with 25 RBIs in June.
Beltran entered the All-Star break with 25 HRs second most at that time in Mets history to Dave Kingman 30 in 1976.
the 2006 All-Star Game in Pittsburgh, PA. This year he was joined by David Wright starting at third as well as reserves Jose Reyes, Paul LoDuca, Tom Glavine & Pedro Martinez.
Beltran became the first player since 1997 to play an entire All-Star Game. He also was the only player in the game to collect two hits, going 2-4. In the 2nd inning he doubled off Kenny Rogers & in the 3rd he singled off Roy Halladay. He also stole a base & scored a run.
After the break, Carlos continued to have a big July, becoming the fifth Mets player to hit 10 HRs with at least 30 RBIs in a month. He also scored 23 runs & had a 1.003 OPA.
Grand Slams in Back-to-Back Games: On July 16th at Wrigley Field, Beltran hit a 6th inning grand slam HR off Roberto Novoa in a 13-7 Mets win over the Cubs. It was 5th career grand slam & 26th HR of the year getting him over he 70 RBI mark. The Mets clubbed five HRs in that game.
The next game two days later in Cincinnati, Beltran hit another grand slam, this one-off Eric Milton in an 8-3 Mets win. He became just the second Met besides Robin Ventura (1999) to have back-to-back grand slam HR games. It was Beltran's sixth career grand slam. He was also the first MLB player to hit grand slam from left side the & right side in consecutive games.
Player of the Week Award: From July 23rd to July 30th, he hit .333 with ten hits, 5 HRs 15 RBIs winning his second Player of the Week Award of the season, his sixth overall.
On July 24th his sac fly RBI was his 80th of the season, setting a Mets record for centerfielders passing Lee Mazzilli & Brian McRae.
On a road trip to Atlanta where the Mets swept the Braves, he started out the first game with two RBIs.
Back-to-Back Multi-HR Games: On July 29th he hit HRs off Tim Hudson, two run HR & Chad Pronto a three run HR to have a multi-HR season high five RBI Game. It was his 30th HR of the season making him the 13th Met in franchise history to reach the mark.
In the 5th inning he added a solo HR off Jason Shiell for his 32nd of the year. He became just the third Met in franchise history along with Frank Thomas & Gary Carter to have back-to-back multi-HR games. In the two games he totaled ten RBIs, matching Robin Ventura (2000) as the only two Mets players to do so. That year Beltran also set a Mets grand slam record with three in a single season.
He entered August with 32 HRs & hit his 33rd on the first day of the month in Florida. He went on a bit of drought, not homering for two weeks. But then he went on another tear, in the final two weeks of August where he hit six HRs with 14 RBIs. The first place Mets continued to roll as well.
From August 20th to September 30th, he went on a career high reaching base in 29 straight games.
100th RBI: On August 19th at Shea, in a 7-4 win over Colorado, he reached on a sac fly error & was credited with his 100th RBI of the season. It was his fifth straight 100 plus RBI season. He was the 13th Mets player to have a 100 plus RBI season.
Personal HR & RBI Highs: On August 29th in Colorado, with his 1st inning HR off Byung-Hyun Kim, Beltran set career highs in HRs & RBIs. He also set a Mets record with 24 road HRs passing Howard Johnson's 23 (1989). Beltran would hit 26 road HRs.
Most Mets Road RBIs: On August 30th, with his 2nd inning RBI single in a win at Colorado, he set a Mets record for most season RBIs on the road with 74 passing Bernard Gilkey (1996), Beltran would finish with 78 on the season.
On September 18th, he had a double & a walk in the Mets 4-0 win over the Marlins, as the Mets clinched the NL East title at Shea Stadium.
Ties Three Mets Records: On September 28th in an 8-7 win over the Braves, Beltran tied three Mets franchise records. In the 6th inning, he tied Todd Hundley's Mets single season HR record, as he connected off Atlanta's Peter Moylan for his 41st HR of the year. e also collected his 80th extra base hit tying Howard Johnson (1989) & scored his 123rd run tying Edgardo Alfonso (1999).
Ties Three Mets Records: On September 28th in an 8-7 win over the Braves, Beltran tied three Mets franchise records. In the 6th inning, he tied Todd Hundley's Mets single season HR record, as he connected off Atlanta's Peter Moylan for his 41st HR of the year. e also collected his 80th extra base hit tying Howard Johnson (1989) & scored his 123rd run tying Edgardo Alfonso (1999).
In 2006 Beltran played in 140 games, hitting 41 HRs (5th most in the NL) with 127 runs scored (2nd in the NL) & 116 RBIs (7th in the NL). He collected 140 hits with 38 doubles & 18 stolen bases. He drew 95 walks (10th in the NL), posted a .388 on base % & a career best .982 OPS.
Gold Glove Award: In the outfield he won the first of three straight Gold Gloves making 13 assists (tied for third most in the NL) posting a .995 fielding %. That year he also won a Louisville Slugger Award & came in fourth in the MVP voting.
In Game #3 he had two hits, including an RBI single in the top of the 6th inning. In that inning the Mets scored three runs with three straight RBI base hits off Jonathan Broxton.
Beltran's RBI gave the Mets a 7-5 lead enroute to their 9-5 win. The Mets advanced to the NLCS for the first time since 2000.
2006 NLCS: In Game #1 of the NLCS against the St. Louis Cardinals, Beltran was the hitting star of the game as he hit a two run HR off Jeff Weaver in the bottom of the 6th inning. The Mets Tom Glavine & the Cards Jeff Weaver had a scoreless pitcher's duel going to that point. The Mets went on to a 2-0 win.
In the Mets 9-6 loss in Game #2 at Shea Stadium, Beltran drew a walk & went 0-4.
In Game #4 at Busch Stadium, Beltran hit a 3rd inning solo HR off Anthony Reyes tying up the game at one. David Wright would hit a HR, two batters later putting New York ahead. In the 5th he collected his second hit of the day, a single off Brad Thompson. Beltran scored on Carlos Delgado's three run HR.
In the bottom of the 7th, with the Mets ahead 11-5, Beltran hit his second HR of the game, a solo shot off Braden Looper to cap off the 12-5 Mets win, evening up the series.
The series returned back to Shea Stadium for Game #6, where Beltran went 1-4. John Maine pitched 5.1 scoreless innings, with RBIs from Paul LoDuca, Jose Reyes & Shawn Green the Mets won the Game 4-2 taking it to Game #7.
In Game #7, Beltran doubled off Jeff Suppan in the 1st inning then scored on David Wright's RBI single. After making out the next two at bats, he drew a leadoff walk in the 8th inning but was left on base.
The score was tied at 1-1 until the top of the 9th inning when Yadier Molina hit a two run HR off Aaron Heilman. In the bottom of the 9th, Jose Valentin & Endy Chavez both got aboard with base hits. Chavez had excited the crowd earlier with a HR saving catch leaping above the left field fence. With two men on & no one out, Cliff Floyd struck out looking. Jose Reyes then lined out for the second out. Paul Loduca then drew a walk loading the bases. With the tying run in scoring position, Beltran came to bat facing Adam Wainwright.
Beltran would watch a third strike looking at Wainwright's curve ball, ending the game. The Mets dream of getting to the World Series was over.
It was a shocking loss & something Beltran would always have to bear, as fans never forget the at bat.
Multi-HR Game: On April 4th, Carlos hit two HRs in the 10-0 John Maine combined Mets shut out win.
Player of the Week Award: From April 13th to April 22nd, he hit .405 with 15 hits, four doubles, two triples two HRs seven runs scored& ten RBIs. He won his sixth career Player of the Week Awards & fourth as a Mets player.
Four Hit Games: On April 19th, he had a four-hit game with a pair of doubles & a solo HR with two RBIs. Two games later at Shea Stadium, he had another four-hit game with a double triple & two RBIs in a 7-2 win over the Braves. On April 30th, he collected his third multi-four hit game 12 days. In the Mets loss he hit his 6th HR of the year.
Thru his first 16 games he had 19 RBIs second in franchise history to Jeff Kent who drove in 23 runs in his first 16 games (1994).
Carlos fell off in May batting just .234 with two HRs. In the first two weeks of June, he only hit .143 with one RBI. But then from June 17th to June 30th he hit .327 & drove in 13 runs.
Multi-HR Game: In the second game of a June 29th double header sweep over the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park, Beltran hit a pair of solo HRs off Cole Hamels in the 5-2 Mets win.
HRs From Both Sides of the Plate- Multi-Four RBI Game: On June 30th in Philadelphia, he hit HRs from both sides of the plate, coming off Phillies pitchers J.A. Happ & Ryan Madson. It was the fifth time in his career he had done it, his second time as a Mets player. four RBIs in the 8-3 win. He also had his fourth multi-four hit game of the season & the 19th of his career.
In July the Mets remained in first place & things looked good for another post season berth.
2007 All Star Game: Carlos was the only player to get elected to start all three All-Star Games from 2005-2007. Mets David Wright, Jose Reyes & Billy Wagner joined him. On July 10th, he went 1-3 in the NL loss at San Francisco's AT & T Park.
After the break, from July 19th to July 21st he hit HRs in three straight games at Dodger Stadium, but all came in Mets losses. It was the third time he hit HRs in three straight games for the Mets.
On July 24th he suffered an injury that kept him out until August 10th.
Second Player of the Week Award in 2007: From August 14th to August 22ndth, Beltran hit .452 with five HRs with five doubles & 18 RBIs. He earned his second Player of the Week Award on the season & the seventh in his career.
In his next game on August 21st, Beltran hit a HR in his third straight at bat dating back to the last game. It was the second time in his career he had done it. On the night he had three hits with four RBIs as the Mets came from behind to beat Trevor Hoffman & the Padres.
The next night the Mets lost to the Padres, but Beltran had three more RBIs. In the three-game span he tied his own team record set in 2006, with the 12 RBIs.
On August 21st the Mets had a six-game lead in first place, but they lost seven of ten to end August three game up on the Phillies. In September they won 9 of 11 getting back to a seven-game lead by September 12th. But they went on to lose 12 of 17 games. On September 26th they were still one game up but lost four of their last five games blowing the division & any chance for a wild card berth.
To his credit, Beltran had 45 RBIs in his last 47 starts. He hit 7 HRs with 25 RBIs & hit safely in 13 of the last 15 games. During the teams five game losing streak in the final week, he hit three HRs including another multi-two HR game in a 9-6 loss to the Washington Nat's. But in the final four games he was a dismal 1-18.In 2007 Beltran became just the third Met along with Mike Pizza & Darryl Strawberry in team history to have consecutive 30 plus 100 plus RBI seasons. He hit 33 HRs (8th in the NL) with 112 RBIs (7th in the NL). He averaged a HR every 16.8 at bats (tied for sixth in the NL). He batted .276 with 153 hits 33 doubles & 93 runs scored. He struck out 111 times with 69 walks posting a .353 on base % & .878 OPS.
On October 3rd he underwent a minor surgery for debridement of the patella tendon on both knees.
2008: On Opening Day 2008 in Florida, Carlos hit two doubles in the Mets 7-2 win. Two days later he collected three doubles in the Mets 13-0 blow out of the Marlins. Overall, he had seven doubles in his first six games. He was just the third major leaguer to hit seven doubles in their teams first six games.
Multi- Five RBI Game: In the first game of a May 10th double header, Beltran had five RBIs in the first game, in a 12-6 Mets win. In the 3rd inning he collected an RBI single. In the 6th inning he cleared the bases with a three-run triple off Mike Lincoln. He would be second to Jose Reyes with five triples on the season.Multi- Three RBI Game: On May 11th, he hit a two run HR off the Reds Johnny Cueto, driving in three runs in the Mets 8-3 victory.
On May 30th, trailing 2-0 to the Dodgers at Shea Stadium, Beltran hit what was to be the game winning HR, when he belted a two-run shot off Jonathan Broxton in the bottom of the 8th inning.
On May 30th, trailing 2-0 to the Dodgers at Shea Stadium, Beltran hit what was to be the game winning HR, when he belted a two-run shot off Jonathan Broxton in the bottom of the 8th inning.
The next day on June 1st at Shea, he hit a two run HR off the Dodgers Hiroki Kuroda leading the Mets 6-1 over the Dodgers.
On June 16th, in Los Angeles, he hit two HRs off Jered Weaver helping the Mets beat the Angeles 9-6.
On June 27th, in the first game of a subway series double header, Beltran hit his 12th HR of the year, his three RBIs helped the Mets in their 15-6 win. In the month of June, he hit seven HRs with 22 RBIs.
Multi- Four RBI Game: On July 8th, he had his fourth four RBI game of the season. In the 1st inning he hit a three run HR off two-time Cy Young Award winner, Tim Lincecum in a 7-0 Mets win behind Mike Pelfrey. It was Carlos 250th career HR.
The Mets were battling the Phillies for first place thru the summer. On June 17th they were as far back as 6.5 games. In mid-July they took over first place. They fell behind at the end of the month but regained the division lead in August.
The Mets were battling the Phillies for first place thru the summer. On June 17th they were as far back as 6.5 games. In mid-July they took over first place. They fell behind at the end of the month but regained the division lead in August.
Astros maintaining a half game lead. They won seven of nine to build up their lead to three games.
Grand Slam HR & Five RBI Game: On August 29th, in Florida the Mets were down 2-1 to the Marlins. With the bases loaded & two outs, Beltran hit his eighth career grand slam HR, coming off Kevin Gregg leading the Mets to a 5-2 comeback win. Carlos had had a 1st inning RBI sac fly matching his season high five RBIs. The last time a Mets player hit a 9th inning come from behind grand slam since Benny Agbayani's slam in Japan in 2000.
In the first two weeks of September, Beltran hit three HRs with ten RBIs, driving in at least two runs in three games.
Mets Collapse: The Mets had a 2.5 game lead but lost 11 of 18 games blowing another season without making the playoffs. This year seemed even more heartbreaking for the Met fans as on the last day of the season, in the final game played at Shea Stadium, the Mets lost to the Florida Marlins killing their chances to make the playoffs. centerfieldmaz was in attendance that game.
In 2008 Beltran played in all but one Mets game, batting .284 with 47 multi-hit games. Beltran hit 27 HRs (third on the club). He hit 40 doubles (second to David Wright) marking the second time in his career he hit 40 or more doubles.
For the second straight year, he had 112 RBIs (third on the club). Beltran had 27 multi-RBI games. He struck out 96 times, walked 92 times his highest total since 2006. He posted a .376 on base % (15th in the NL) & .876 OPS.
Gold Glove: That year he won his third straight Gold Glove. He made just three errors in 429 chances, leading the league with 418 put outs. He had eight assists& turned on double play posting a .985 fielding %.
2009: In 2009 the Mets played their first season at Citi Field. The team suffered injuries & many of their players started to age, as it showed.
The Mets finished fourth going 72-90 disappointing its fan base even more. Beltran himself would play in just 81 games that year, as he fell to injuries, missing almost three months of action.
Hitting .400: Beltran was off to a good start, hitting safely in 24 of his first 25 games batting .44 on May 5th. He kept going, safely in 44 of his first 50 games, batting .367 at the end of May.
The Mets finished fourth going 72-90 disappointing its fan base even more. Beltran himself would play in just 81 games that year, as he fell to injuries, missing almost three months of action.
Hitting .400: Beltran was off to a good start, hitting safely in 24 of his first 25 games batting .44 on May 5th. He kept going, safely in 44 of his first 50 games, batting .367 at the end of May.
Multi-HR Four RBI Game: On May 4th in Atlanta, he had his only multi-HR game of the season. He hit a pair of HRs off Javier Vazquez driving in four runs, in a 6-4 win over the Braves.
From May 4th to May 10th, Beltran hit four HRs & drove in ten runs, batting .321 with nine hits in a seven-game span.
On June 21st, Beltran would go down with a knee injury that would keep him out almost three months. At the time the Mets were still in second place but barely over the .500 mark at 28-24.
2009 All Star: Beltran made his fourth All-Star team as a Mets player. He received the third highest votes for NL Outfielders. Due to his injury, he did not play in the game.
On the season he would bat .325 with 100 hits 10 HRs 22 doubles 50 runs scored 48 RBIs & 47 walks with a solid .415 on base %.
2010 Surgery Drama: In January of 2010 Beltran had knee surgery with his own doctor. The Mets claimed they were upset that he had done it without the team's consent. But his agent Scott Boras claimed the Mets were aware of the surgery.
Beltran would end up missing three & a half months of the upcoming 2010 season.
On July 15th, Beltran returned to action. The Mets were 48-41 five games behind the Atlanta Braves in second place at the time of his return. They finished 79-83 in a disappointing fourth place. That year the club fired GM Omar Minaya & Jerry Manuel was through as manager. In just 64 games, Beltran hit .255 with 56 hits 7 HRs 11 doubles three triples & 27 RBIs. He posted a .341 on base & .768 OPS.
2011: In 2011 the Mets were bad once again & it was only matter of time until Beltran was to be traded as his contract was running out. New Mets manager, Terry Collins moved him from center to left field, as his defense skills began to decline.
On a rare Opening Day Mets loss, he doubled & drove in a run. On April 9th, he hit a pair of HRs against the Washington Nats in an 8-4 Mets win at Citi Field.
Multi- Three HR Six RBI Game: On May 12th in Colorado, he had his last big day as a Mets player. That day in a 9-5 Mets win over the Rockies, he blasted three HRs & drove in six runs.
2011: In 2011 the Mets were bad once again & it was only matter of time until Beltran was to be traded as his contract was running out. New Mets manager, Terry Collins moved him from center to left field, as his defense skills began to decline.
On a rare Opening Day Mets loss, he doubled & drove in a run. On April 9th, he hit a pair of HRs against the Washington Nats in an 8-4 Mets win at Citi Field.
Multi- Three HR Six RBI Game: On May 12th in Colorado, he had his last big day as a Mets player. That day in a 9-5 Mets win over the Rockies, he blasted three HRs & drove in six runs.
It was the first time in his career he hit three HRs in a game. Beltran was the 8th Mets player to accomplish the feat. Since then, thru the 2024 season, 14 Mets players have hit three HRs in a game.
From then on thru July, he would hit six more HRs
On June 2nd, in a 9-8 win over the Pirates at Dhea, he led the way with four RBIs, including a three run HR off Paul Maholm for his eighth HR of the year.On July 20th in a 6-5 walk off win over the Cardinals at Citi Field, Carlos hit his last in a Mets uniform. It came in the 5th inning, a two-run shot off Kyle McClellan, his 15th of the year.
On July 28th his Mets career ended, as he was traded to the San Francisco Giants for top draft pick pitcher Zack Wheeler.
Overall, he played in 839 Mets games (18th on the Mets all-time list).
Beltran ranking on the Mets all-time lists: 149 HRs (sixth) & 559 RBIs (seventh) 208 doubles (seventh) 551 runs scored (eighth) 55 intentional walks (tenth) 100 stolen bases (eleventh) 878 hits (fourteenth). He also has 17 triples while batting .280 with a .369 on base %.
Post Mets Career: Beltran played with the Giants (2011) then moved on to the St. Louis Cardinals (2012-2013) AL New York team (2014-2016) Texas Rangers (2016) & Houston Astros (2017).
MLB Career: In his 20-year playing career Beltran has played for seven teams. He made nine All Star teams, won three Gold Gloves & won the 1999 AL Rookie of the Year Award.
Post Season Career: Beltran played in seven post seasons getting to two World Series (2013 & 2017) & winning a Championship with the 2017 Astros. In 65 post season games he batted .307 with 66 hits 16 HRs 15 doubles 42 RBIs 45 runs scored & a .412 on base %.
Post Season Career: Beltran played in seven post seasons getting to two World Series (2013 & 2017) & winning a Championship with the 2017 Astros. In 65 post season games he batted .307 with 66 hits 16 HRs 15 doubles 42 RBIs 45 runs scored & a .412 on base %.
Mets Post Season: In ten Mets post season games he batted .277 (10-36) with three HRs, a double & five RBIs.
He has 78 triples 1582 runs scored (53rd all time) & 1587 RBIs (41st all time). He has 312 stolen bases (160th all time) his 86.43 stolen base % is 10th best all time.
Beltran struck out 1795 strike outs (26th most all time) & grounded into 203 double plays.
In the outfield he played in 2210 games (28th most all time). In center he played 1572 games (31st most all time) with 108 assists (35th all time) making 75 errors in 5372 chances with 143 assists.
The family has lived in Port Washington, Long Island during the baseball season & Mantia Puerto Rico during the winter months.Honors: In 2017 he was honored for his efforts after Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico.
Christian: Beltran is a Christian. When he stole his 300th base, entering the 300/300 club, a gold Cross popped out of his uniform jersey. When asked, he told the press after the game " all the Glory was God's".
In January 2020 the Astors were found guilty of sign stealing in the 2017 World Series. Beltran suffered by not getting the manager's job. It also has hurt his chances of getting into the Hall of Fame.
After 2020 he & the Mets mutually parted ways. In 2023 he joined the Mets again working in their front office.