CARLOS BELTRAN HALL OF FAME SPEECH
Commissioner John “Stray” Corrado’s Introduction Speech for Carlos Beltran:
Born April 24, 1977, in Manati, Puerto Rico
Drafted first overall in the 1999 MWBL Annual Draft by the Fairfield Aces. Played 20 seasons (1999-2018)
1999 Fairfield Aces; 2000 Severn Express; 2001-08 Midland Mud Hens; 2009 Brooklyn Ave. Rascals; 2010-12Tijuana Bottle Rockets; 2013 Sacramento Capitals; 2014-16 New York Outlaws; 2017 Windy City Black Sox; 2018 Harsens’s Island Walleyes
Career Stats: 9680 AB, 2623 G, .266 Ave., .332 OBP, .470 SLG, .809 OPS, 2572 Hits, 421 HR, 1459 RBI, 1440 Runs, 577 Doubles, 70 Triples, 309 SB, 4552 TB, 958 BB; .985 Fielding %, 222 Assists, 52 DP, 6061 PO
Carlos Beltran announced his presence with authority, winning the 2000 Rookie of the Year Award for a season in which he led his league in five categories: Ave. (.345), hits (244), RBI (140), runs (141), and total bases (381). While he never quite reached that level of single-season success again, he put up many stellar years and was a consistently great all-around performer and consummate team player. He did lead his league in SB in 2004 with 52 and doubles in 2003 with 53.
Carlos also liked to flash the leather, winning four Gold Glove Awards (2004-06, 2009). A strong and accurate arm resulted in 222 Assists and 52 double plays. His speed and skill at tracking balls contributed to 6061 putouts.
Carlos is a winner, playing on seven playoff teams, and starring in two World Series wins: in 2000 with the Severn Express, and most famously, in 2010, when he led the Tijuana Bottle Rockets to their sweep of the Iron City Yinzers. In that one, he took home the World Series MVP trophy for his .471 Ave, 1.468 OPS, 10 RBI, and 2 HR performance.
Carlos Beltran didn’t shy away from the challenge when the spotlight was brightest. He was a five-time All-Star, voted to the starting lineup twice. He was the MVP of the 2004 contest.
Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to introduce the newest inductee to the MWBL Hall of Fame, Carlos Beltran!
Carlos Beltran Speech:
Thank you, Mr. Commissioner for your kind words. It is truly special to be here today.
I’d first like to acknowledge, congratulate, and thank my fellow inductees, CC Sabathia, Felix Hernandez, Ichiro, Adrian Beltre, and Bill Schindel, for sharing this honor and this stage with me.
I cannot continue without thanking my lovely wife Jessica, and my three beautiful children, without whom this would all be pointless.
I like to think my career can be summed up rather simply: I like to win! I loved playing in the postseason when the games meant the most, and the pressure was on every pitch. Even in the years when we didn’t make it, I relished the late-season games of the pennant race. Everything is so heightened, and the stakes are always high. I was lucky enough to have one of my best runs in the 2010 World Series, and It was the greatest feeling I’ve ever had on a baseball field. It is a memory I will have all my life.
I am also proud of the stats and the accomplishments I have achieved in my whole career because it means I put up numbers that helped my team. I need to pause here to thank my teammates and coaches for supporting me and making me a better player. I hope I have impacted other players in a similar positive manner in my career.
While my offense gets the most attention, especially in my rookie season, I am especially proud of my defense, because that part of the game can often be overlooked. It isn’t always the big hit that wins the game, but a late catch, or keeping a runner from taking that extra base. The more you play the game, the more you appreciate the little things in it.
To play as long as I did, you have to work hard, be a good teammate, and have lots of support along the way. It feels good that my work and accomplishments have been honored with this crowning achievement which I will cherish always.
Thank you.