The dark cloud of the 2017 Houston Astros looms over the head of Carlos Beltrán, even now that he’s sporting New York Mets colors.
Beltrán was on the Astros that season during their World Series run. In the same year, it was unearthed that the team was stealing signs electronically. Now that he’s in a front-office role under Mets general manager Billy Eppler, the subject is one he refuses to bring attention to.
Still, he acknowledged it.
“I felt like that was a moment that needed to happen and I moved on,” Beltrán told reporters on Wednesday, including the Associated Press.
Beltrán joined the Mets in November 2019 to replace former skipper Mickey Callaway. Since then, he’s appeared comfortable with his new team.
“Today’s not about the Astros,” Beltrán. “Today is about the Mets.”
The nine-time All-Star outfielder, and former Rookie of the Year, spent 20 seasons across seven teams, and in his inaugural year appearing on the National Baseball Hall of Fame ballot, he received just 46.5 percent of votes, far below the necessary 75 percent threshold. Beltrán admits he knows his role on the Astros could have impacted his trip to Cooperstown.
“I felt OK with it,” Beltrán said. “I know that I went through a moment in my career that was tough. I also know I had some fans and now I don’t have those fans anymore. But at the end of the day, I have to live my life. I have to move on.”
Beltrán made his first public comments last April about the scandal that rocked the sports world. He admitted the team crossed a line and wished he would have asked more questions, but the winning spoke for itself.
"When you're in the minor-league system, you need love. You need people to care about you. I'm motivated because I didn't have that person and I hope I can be that person for those kids."
– Carlos Beltrán pic.twitter.com/ivOPOMDRai
— SNY (@SNYtv) February 22, 2023
He wants to move on from the scandal and is already making sure he can be used as a resource for younger players.