Why Carlos Beltran is No Big Mac
By Mike Silva ~ October 31st, 2009. Filed under: NY Baseball Memories.
I found this quote over at Amazin Avenue interesting as I made the morning rounds yesterday: Centerfield Maz takes a look at last decade’s Carlos Beltran: Kevin McReynolds. It got me to thinking if that was true. I’m not sure if the author, Joe Budd, actually saw McReynolds play or is going by historical news and numbers. It doesn’t matter because it makes for a fun trip down memory lane.
When looking back at McReynolds career the only similarity between the two is the criticism about their passion for the game and emotion on the baseball field. Even that is debatable. When it comes to both sides of the ball Kevin McReynolds isn’t even in the same league as Carlos Beltran. Consider that in 1988 “Big Mac” (his nickname when he was here) hit .288 with 29 homers, 99 RBI’s and an OPS of .832. When breaking it down to OPS+ he was 42% above league average. It was good enough for third in the MVP voting and quite possibly cost Darryl Strawberry the award which I believe he deserved. There was only one other season (1986) that McReynolds put up a higher OPS than his 88′ production. Beltran has put up three seasons of plus .900 OPS and consistently has been .850 or better (McReynolds best season). By the age of 32 (Beltran’s current age) McReynolds had already peaked and was on the sharp slope downward. He would never be heard against after the 1994 strike.
For all the criticism that Beltran has endured about softness, desire, and emotion McReynolds was known to be the first one to run out of the clubhouse. San Diego management called him “lazy” and “unmotivated” before they dealt him to the Mets. His weight became an issue later in his Mets career so much so that his wife called up WFAN to complain about the criticism. I think Beltran criticism comes more from irate fans who fail to manage their expectations or yearn to see Lenny Dykstra’s vinegar in Beltran’s body. I also wonder if his poor first impression (2005) is part of the negative perception.
Having watched both players there is very little in common between the two whether it’s on the field or off the field criticism. Regardless, McReynolds is an interesting case and brought back some fond memories of my early days watch baseball in the mid eighties.
October 31st, 2009 at 10:43 am
Good observations. Before Beltran even became a free agent, several NY columnists expressed doubt about his inclination to play here because of his rather quiet and humble nature. Nevertheless, comparing him to K-Mac is unfair. I remember Ron Darling on SNY a couple of years ago saying that he never played with a guy who seemed to dislike the game of baseball as much as McReynolds: last guy to arrive, first to leave. Whether you approve of his demeanor or not I don’t think it’s fair to question Beltran’s love and respect for the game.
October 31st, 2009 at 12:17 pm
I had the opportunity to speak with Carlos personally for about 20 minutes and can say he has a great passion for the game. No, he doesn’t like the spotlight on him here in NY but he’s put up good numbers despite this. I don’t think just because somebody is a private person should condemn him. He did say that the minor leagues are a whole lot more fun than the majors. I agree with him.
Another thing, how would we all like it if we were put under a microscope during our job? Press conferences pounding us with questions about how we did day after day. Columnists criticizing our every move and questioning our demeanor. Maybe McReynold’s didn’t leave early because he didn’t love the game but because he didn’t love the attention? I would duck out the back door too if I had to deal with all that.
October 31st, 2009 at 1:21 pm
While I agree with you regarding Beltran’s passion I disagree with your comment regarding the microscope.
No one puts an office worker, sanitation person, or other laborer under the same microscope because the pay isn’t commensurate. When you make $17 million dollars there is certain power and responsibility that comes with it. That enhances playing in NY. Is it always fair? Of course not, but that is the price you pay for the big contract.
If Beltran doesn’t want that he should have reconsidered the deal and signed with Houston. Where IMO the pressure would have been not the same, but still pressure nontheless. Obscurity is pressure free but a whole less profitable.
October 31st, 2009 at 3:32 pm
In a town where A-Rod is so self absorbed and it’s easy to tell that he looks in the mirror in one day more times than David Wright struck out the whole season having a player like Beltran is a refreshing gift. I actually was listening to WFAN when McReynold’s wife called in that night to the Steve Somers show …what a hoot that was..Imus replayed it repeatedly the next day! Though physically not the giant that Frank Howard was , Beltran is the Mets’ Gentle Giant and he’s one of the reasons I will continue to watch the Mets next year and he deserves to finish his career as a Met.
October 31st, 2009 at 3:57 pm
Beltran is a five tool player, no arguements there! But he will never be a leader or a guy that backs up his statements. The ultimate leaders like Messier, Jimmy Rollins, MJ are few and far between. Something that Omar Minaya never considered. Rush to write bad contracts and strangle this team financially for those 7 Beltran years. No plan for Omar just wanted big name faces to draw 3 million fans to watch us lose 90 games! Chip Hale and maybe even Bob Melvin next, the transformation continues! Good job Ricco/Little Fred. Downsize the Dometican population here!