Sports Illustrated: Carlos Beltran: Hall of Famer?

Which hat on the plaque?

 

2016 A.L. All-Star.

 

Beltran is now the 18th player with 2,600 hits, 1,500 RBI, 1,500 runs, 1,000 walks, 500 doubles, 400 homers.

The list of the 17 other people to do that: Aaron, Ruth, A-Rod, Bonds, Gehrig, Musial, Murray, Mays, Yaz, Griffey. Palmeiro, Winfield, Robinson, Pujols, Ripken, Chipper.

Throw in his 300 steals and it is just Beltran, A-Rod, Bonds and Mays.

Next year he'd be the 17th player with 2,700 hits, 1,500 RBI, 1,500 runs, 1,000 walks, 500 doubles, 400 homers.

 

Beltran is now the 9th player with 2,700 hits, 1,550 RBI, 1,550 runs, 1,000 walks, 550 doubles, 400 homers.

The list of the 8 other people to do that: Aaron, Bonds, Musial, Murray, Yaz, Palmeiro, Pujols, Ripken

Throw in his 300 steals and it is just Beltran and Bonds.

If he gets to 1,600 runs, 1,600 RBI, 1,100 walks, 550 doubles and 400 home runs, the group stays the same. Same at 2,800 hits.

If he gets to 450 homers, then Ripken comes off the list.

 

Forgot there was a thread for Beltran and it was started that many years ago. What's funny is, of the early replies Manky's was probably the best and most sensible. A few of the more respected posters here pretty much pissed on Beltran.

 

People were legitimately #MadOnTheInternet that I started the thread. @KYSportsWriter said people don't look at SB success rate. Don't tell Tim Raines that.

I don't know a lot.

But I know baseball.

 

Most'll describe Beltran in one word ...

 

Beltran might be the best compiler in MLB history. Only time he has ever led the league in a single category was once -- games played. Only two top 10 MVP finishes -- a 4th and a 9th. He's got some nice postseason stats though, including 16 dingers in 55 games. He's probably most known unfortunately for taking a called third strike. I'm sure he will get in eventually, but I think it'll take a few tries.

 

Ding Ding.

 

I'd say Harold Baines is the best compiler in MLB history. Take a look at Beltran's similar players on baseball-reference, about half are HOF. Eddie Murray isn't one of the similar guys, but Murray's career OPS 836, OPS + 129. Beltran's .841 and 120.

Pretty much all of his years in KC, he was on a bad team in a small market. It's a joke he is so remembered for taking a called third strike. But that's got something to do with a lot of Mets fans mentality of thinking the less talented hustle rah-rah guy is better than the better player who is simply more talented, but not as talkative or charismatic. Many Mets fans think of themselves as a small market team because the Yankees always have spent more money. Also the two World Series they won, they were a pitching dominant team.

 

Not going to say back then I thought Beltran was HOF but it was a good article and don't think anyone should've said definite yes or definite no. At this point, I'd say he's HOF, but don't think he's a lock. Couple weeks ago was talking about it with a buddy who played D1 and a very successful hs coach who has coached a couple guys who played over a decade in MLB. Buddy who played D1 said Beltran is HOF, coach said not yet.

 

Went back and read the thread. Very illuminating. Glad my contributions to it weren't that idiotic.