Mr. Softie? I Think Not
By Mike Silva ~ June 22nd, 2009. Filed under: Mike Silva.
During the early part of my radio show’s existence the recurring debate about the Mets was the toughness of the ball club. Inevitably Carlos Beltran would come up and many fans would cite him as the poster boy for the team’s soft persona. How do those same fans feel today after it was revealed that Beltran was playing through a severe bone bruise?
Throughout the last month Beltran has sidestepped any questions about whether he needed time off. Even yesterday, citing severe pain, he was able to bang out two hits and keep the Mets within striking distance with a bases loaded diving catch. It seems that Beltran has always been remembered more for his failures than his success. Despite a horrible 2005 he still played after a severe concussion. We all remember the called third strike in October of 2006, but fail to remember him playing through pain down the stretch in 2007. When the team collapsed around him in the final days of 08′, he was in the midst of completing a September where he hit over .340.
Beltran is not the vocal leader in the mold of Keith Hernandez. He may not have the spit and vinegar of a Lenny Dykstra. All this time many have focused on his shortcomings rather than looking at the fact he has played at a high level everday (literally) since he came here. Call him what you want, but don’t call him Mr. Softie anymore.
