CARLOS BELTRÁN’S NUMBER 15 TO BE RETIRED BY METS LATER THIS SEASON

It looks like Carlos Beltrán’s iconic number 15 will soon join the ranks of retired Mets legends in Citi Field. According to Mike Puma, the New York Mets are planning a special ceremony to honor their former center fielder and officially retire his number later this season. Initially, Beltrán was scheduled to be inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame alongside Lee Mazzilli and Bobby Valentine on May 30, but now, he will have his own separate event for the number retirement.

Beltrán’s Hall of Fame Honor: A Career Cemented in Mets History

Earlier this year, Beltrán was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on his fourth year of eligibility, receiving 84.2% of the vote. A few weeks later, it was revealed that he would enter the Hall wearing a Mets cap on his plaque, making him only the third player in franchise history to be inducted in this fashion. He joins Tom Seaver and Mike Piazza, who were the only Mets players to have their number retired prior to Steve Cohen’s ownership. Under the previous regime of the Wilpons, the requirement to have your number retired seemed to be tied to entering the Hall of Fame with a Mets cap, but Cohen has since expanded the club’s efforts to honor its greats by retiring more numbers.

Beltrán’s Legacy in New York: A Hall of Fame Career with the Mets

Beltrán’s legacy with the Mets is undeniable. As one of the most well-rounded players in team history, he excelled offensively and defensively during his time in Queens. After signing a seven-year, $119 million contract before the 2005 season, he delivered 149 home runs, 551 runs scored, and 559 RBIs, slashing .280/.369/.500 with a 127 wRC+ and a 29.3 fWAR in 848 games for the Mets. Despite a rough start in his first season, Beltrán bounced back in 2006 with a spectacular campaign, posting a 7.2 fWAR and a 148 wRC+, leading the team to the postseason. That year, he hit 41 home runs, drove in 116 RBIs, and scored 127 runs, finishing fourth in NL MVP voting and earning his first Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards.

Beltrán’s time in New York was filled with accomplishments, and although some fans still remember him for striking out in Game 7 of the 2006 NLCS, he had an outstanding postseason that year, hitting three home runs in the series.

Beltrán’s Impact: A Staple in Mets History

Beltrán ranks third all-time among position players in Mets franchise WAR with 31.2, and is also among the top in key offensive categories, including:

• 4th in OPS (.869)

• 6th in OBP (.369)

• 6th in SLG (.500)

• 7th in home runs (149)

• 7th in doubles (208)

• 7th in RBIs (559)

• 10th in walks (449)

• 10th in runs scored (551)

Defensively, Beltrán was a standout at center field, earning a reputation as one of the best at his position in the league. His combination of elite defense and offensive production solidified him as one of the Mets’ all-time greats.

Mets’ Continued Tradition of Honoring Legends

Beltrán’s number retirement will be the fourth in three years, and the seventh under Steve Cohen’s ownership of the Mets. Other notable retirements include Jerry Koosman’s No. 36 in 2021, Keith Hernandez’s No. 17 in 2022, and future retirements of Willie Mays’ No. 24, Dwight Gooden’s No. 16, Darryl Strawberry’s No. 18, and David Wright’s No. 5 (planned for 2025).

Conclusion: A Fitting Tribute to a Mets Legend

Carlos Beltrán’s number 15 will now take its rightful place among the greats in Mets history, further cementing his legacy as one of the most complete and impactful players to ever wear the orange and blue. Mets fans can look forward to celebrating his remarkable career at the upcoming ceremony later this season, and Beltrán’s Hall of Fame induction only adds to his impressive legacy with the team.