Full Name : Carlos Ivan Beltrán
Born : April 24, 1977
Hometown : Manatí, Puerto Rico
Height : 6' 1
Weight : 200 lbs
Bats : Switch
Throws : Right
Major League Baseball debut : September 14, 1998 for the Kansas City Royals
Family : parents, Wilfredo, Carmen; brother, Nino; sister, Twin sisters, Marie Liz, Liz Marie; wife, Jessica
Primary Position : CF (Center Fielder)
Gold-glove caliber athletes are not easy to come by these days, but there is no doubt that when you think of the very few in the game, Carlos Beltran immediately comes to mind. Born on April 24, 1977 in Manatí, Puerto Rico, Beltran exhibited much talent as a youngster when he participated in a number of sports, including both basketball and volleyball. After a long speech with his father regarding his priorities, he decided to focus primarily on baseball alone. Today, it is safe to say that he made the right decision.
After being selected by the Kansas City Royals in the 1995 MLB Amateur Draft, Beltran became quite familiar with the game and was able to make his Major League debut in 1998. Considering that he only appeared in 14 games that season, he wasn’t able to make much of an impact just yet. However, that following year he put Kansas City fans on the edge of their seats with his display of stunning defensive skills and stellar hitting at the plate. That season, he appeared in 156 games and batted .293, hitting 22 homers and driving in 108 RBI’s. Not surprisingly, he went on to win the American League Rookie of the Year award, demonstrating his range of skills as a five-tool player. As the everyday centerfielder for the Royals, Beltran was making his presence widely known throughout the big leagues.
Sadly, his impact as a centerfielder was put to a halt when he suffered from the injury bug that shelved him for a majority of the 2000 season. Seeking a replacement, the Royals leaned towards Johny Damon, who would eventually become the regular centerfielder for the ball club. Beltran’s health became a concern, but fortunate for him Damon was traded to the Oakland Athletics after that season. He regained his job and put up exceptional numbers yet again, batting .306 with 24 homers and 101 RBI’s in the 2001 season. He continued to put up very similar numbers throughout the rest of his tenure with the Kansas City organization, and Royals fans grew appreciative of his role as a team leader.
Like any other athlete, a hefty price tag comes with ongoing success. The Royals knew this, and were aiming to rid of Beltran as they could not afford to pay for the lucrative contract that he would eventually receive. As a result, he was traded to the Houston Astros during the summer of 2004. He would later earn his first spot in the midsummer-classic (all-star game) that same season. After that year, he hit the free agent market where he was awarded a 4-year, $119 million contract with the New York Mets, the biggest in franchise history. In 2006 Beltran won both the Gold Glove Award and Silver Slugger Award, demonstrating his undisputed athleticism on the field. With all the success that Beltran has had so far in his career, it is very possible that he will one day earn himself a spot in the Hall of Fame.
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