New York Yankees: Carlos Beltran Reaches RBI Milestone
The New York Yankees right fielder, Carlos Beltran, became the 46th player in MLB history to drive in over 1500 RBI.
Adding more accolades to his storied 19-year career, Carlos Beltran has hit his 1,500 RBI. He joins exclusive company as he is only the 46th player to reach that many runs-batted-in. Even more impressive, he is only the 4th switch hitter to tally that many RBI in his career. The other switch hitters to reach 1500 RBI were Eddie Murray, Chipper Jones, and Yankee great, Mickey Mantle.
Beltran is having a strong season, hitting .299/.336/.546. According to Fangraphs, he is projected to finish the 2016 season hitting .281/.354/.492, which would be an excellent batting line for the soon to be free agent. According to Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Beltran would like to play for two more years, though he acknowledges that it would likely have to be as a designated hitter.
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals
Throughout his career, Beltran has been remarkably consistent. Beginning in Kansas City, he spent seven years with the Royals. Over those seven seasons, he hit .287/.352./.483 with a 111 OPS+. He spent a year with the Houston Astros, hitting .258/.368/.559 and a 135 OPS+.
He eventually found himself in New York playing for the Mets. While with the Mets, he knocked in 559 RBI and hit 149 home runs over the course of seven years. After a year in San Francisco and two years in St. Louis, Beltran arrived in New York once again but this time donned a Yankees uniform.
He has played two-and-a-half season for the Yankees and is hitting .267/.324/.467 with a 116 OPS+ in that time. He has tallied 53 home runs along with 174 RBI.
Should Carlos Beltran call it a career, it will be one worthy of Hall of Fame consideration. Along with his most recent accomplishment, surpassing 1500 RBI, he has also made nine All Star appearances.
Next: MLB Investigates David Ortiz
He has already put together an excellent resume, as he was the AL Rookie of the Year in 1999, while winning three gold gloves and two silver sluggers. Though he has never won the MVP award, he has been considered seven times and has finished in the top ten three times. Beltran is also one of eight players in MLB history with 300 home runs and 300 stolen bases. Now, he can add another milestone to his list of accomplishments.