Some place. Carlos Beltran if he is watching the postseason games the least he would like to listen is anything about his New York Mets.
What if this. What if that. What if they had made it to the postseason? Probably nowadays instead of a possible LA Freeway Series most fans would be talking about a Subway Series.
Back in spring training Beltran did not mention about a showdown with its rival Yankees but he was well confident his team was going to make it all the way into October.
Same thought had the editorial teams of such publications as Sports Illustrated and The Sporting News in their preseason predictions.
However none saw in a crystal ball three months into the season the Mets were going to fall badly when one player after another went either disabled or lost for the season. Including Beltran.
The Puerto Rican center-fielder was enjoying quite a season until he broke down in mid-June with a bone bruise right knee. He was set on the disabled list June 22.
An unfortunate happening in a joyous moment he was going to be an All-Star starter in St. Louis.
Prior to his injury, Beltran was tearing up the National league among hitting leaders at a .336 clip. He also had 8 homers and 40 runs batted in.
He was at a pace to be once again a Gold Glover and Silver Slugger in his career.
Nobody doubts Beltran can make this accomplishments next year, however, he knows 2010 will be more what he can do individually.
Beltran knows in many ways he will have to become a franchise player. A full-time leader in the clubhouse and mentor on the field.
Nobody should doubt he can do the job but he knows he will not have much backup next season. Due to injuries it's doubtful that Jose Reyes will be in uniform next spring and there are health concerns with David Wright.
No matter that its not all good news, Beltran hopes for the best.
“We need a little bit more pitching, the starting lineup, maybe another bat in the lineup,” Beltran said at the end of the season. “I believe the organization will do whatever it takes to put a good team for the fans, for the players.”
No matter it was a season to forget, nobody should lose perspective, the Mets with the Dodgers compile the best batting average in the National League.
What skipper Jerry Manuel's squad needs is power. The Mets became only the second team since the 1993 Florida Marlins to hit fewer than 100 home runs over a 162-game season.
For those who know Beltran, he is a very proud and passionate ballplayer.
The Mets possibly will have the franchise player they wanted when Beltran was signed back in 2005.
Time will tell.
Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com
- Login to post comments