Beltran's dog play Carlos Beltran of the Mets made a serious, serious mistake on Saturday, failing to run out a pop fly -- and allowing Carlos Delgado to turn a double play. I have not seen a replay of his gaffe, but as described in the papers this morning, it went something like this: Beltran popped up, in fair territory, and then did not run to first base. Delgado, seeing Beltran's laziness, let the ball fall, then picked it up and started a double play. After the game, Beltran made no excuses, but then again, he didn't really explain why in the world he would feel compelled to remain rooted to the batter's box after hitting a ball into fair play. Here's why this play will hang on Beltran, unless he starts playing much better. There were great expectations for the center fielder after he signed a $119 million deal with the Mets in the offseason, and to date, he really hasn't come close to meeting those hopes. He's on a pace to finish the year with 18 homers and 82 RBI, which is about what the Detroit Tigers are getting from Craig Monroe, for $400,000. The Mets' record is pretty much what it was last year, despite the upgrades. In talking with reporters from inside and outside New York, the wide perception is that Beltran has mostly gotten a pass from the fans and media during his slow start. No longer: His failure to run out the ball on Saturday was an absolute dog play, and fair or not, it will brand him -- unless he starts playing better. If not, he might want to see if he can borrow Bobby Bonilla's ear plugs.
what did beltran bat in june? i think it was .168? there was a little blurb in the chronicle that said he had the lowest batting avg in the majors for a regular player in the month of june
Its sad... it really is. Frankly, he's hitting about the same as he did when he was here (.258-260), but he's stealing far fewer bases (which is really where it hurts, since that is something that not many elite players can do). He's never really been a HR hitter... he's a good hitter who hits the ball so well that eventualy some of them become HR's. (a lot like Lance Berkman and Albert Pujols... and less like Bagwell, Sosa, Griffey, McGwire). If he's not hitting for a decent average or stealing bases, I don't know what he is.
Exactly... but he's not simply a pure HR hitter with a HR stroke... he hits the ball hard (like Berkman and Pujols do), and a lot of those balls find the seats because of that. Guys like Griffey, McGwire... or even Ensberg this year... have a pure HR swing/stroke that whenever they make contact, they're trying to play long-ball. Beltran is not, and has never been, like that.
The funny thing is, I could never see him failing in Houston (when we all wanted him)... but I saw this scenario several times over if he was going to go to the Mets or Yankees. There's something about this Houston enviornment... hell, if he was still with us, I'm pretty confident in saying that things would be better for him. I just hope his situation doesn't get as bad as Bonilla's or Giambi's did there.
Buck Feltran! Have the Mets played here yet? I'd like to go to that game, just one, just to boo his ass in the crawford seats or standing by the gas pump in center field.
At the end of July, he will be in town. I have some nice seats too, right in the outfield. Ohhhh man, he WILL HEAR IT. I can't wait.
CB's biggest in-season asset has been the NY media's fascination with the sinking Yankee fortunes. Last time I was there it was all NYY all the time, all witching and moaning, even on the Met fladship. No one, at least on talk radio, was paying atten tion to the Metsies.
When we first got Beltran, he seemed like such a good guy, not cocky, just did his job and that was it. I liked him, but when he hired the devil to represent him, that was all it took and he took the fast track to hell.
Im glad we didn't re-sign Carlo$ now. It would be real nice if he is batting under .250 when he comes to MMP
I agree with you. I currently live here in NY and it seems that up to this point, his failures and lack of production have been more of a side note when you listen to the sports radio call-in shows. Most of the discussion has been about Pedro Martinez...and of course the Yankees record. If things continue for him this way, I'm sure he'll hear plenty from the fans...all of which he deserves. This is the worst place for him to be and not be producing.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=250702121 That has the video highlight of the double play - and this quote - Which I love.
Wow. I'm loving it. As pissed as I was when he chose the Mets I am just as happy now that they are paying top dollar for a lazy ass. It's looking more and more like it really was all about the money...and it wasn't all Boras either. The Mets shouldn't worry though...he'll put up big numbers in about 5 years when he's ready for a new contract.
It makes me SICK to my stomach that he was chosen by fans to play in the All-Star games and he gets a $100,000 bonus for doing so. The guy is a greedy beaner and is laughing his way to the bank with his w**** wife. I love Taveras (better avg, more steals, better OBP and $300,000 compaired to $24mil this season).....screw Beltran.
