SOCIAL CHATTER: CARLOS BELTRAN

The New York Mets announced Carlos Beltran will officially return to Queens, this time as the 22nd manager in franchise history.

LIVE 📽️: Please join us as we welcome the 22nd manager in franchise history, @carlosbeltran15! https://t.co/N7rulBVdQ8

— New York Mets (@Mets) November 4, 2019

Beltran was also the centerpiece of the Mets as the starting center fielder from 2005-2011 (that included one division title in 2006). Despite his success, the New York Times noted “many fans in New York still remember him for one of the more iconic, and painful, moments in the team’s recent history. Standing at the plate with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 7 of the 2006 National League Championship Series, Beltran struck out on three pitches against St. Louis reliever Adam Wainwright to end the series. The final pitch, a devastating curveball, caught him with the bat on his shoulder, sending the Cardinals to the World Series and the Mets home for the winter.”

“I was here, I lived through it. I understand how they feel. I know what they are going through.” – @carlosbeltran15

From #Mets player to now manager, Beltrán knows what it takes to succeed in New York. pic.twitter.com/crH759Nr61

— New York Mets (@Mets) November 6, 2019

Now, Beltran is back in blue-and-orange leading a franchise that hasn’t won a World Series in 33 years. The Mets have failed to win consistently. Since 2002, the Mets have recorded a losing record in 11 of the 18 seasons. Since the 1986 championship season, the Mets have made the postseason six seasons (1988, 1999, 2000, 2006, 2015 and 2016), advancing to the World Series twice before losing (2000 vs. New York Yankees and 2015 vs. Kansas City Royals).

Beltran may be described as a “players manager” and a “strong, quiet leader,” but how do we know that? He’s never managed — or even coached — a single game at either the minor or major league level. We can assume Beltran knows the pressure and demands of playing in New York, but managing? There is no previous experience to draw from. Beltran succeeds Mickey Callaway who, like Beltran, had no managerial experience at the major league level.

The response from Mets fans on social media was generally optimistic. Here are a few of the comments after the news broke:

I’m excited about the Mets making Beltran the manager. But the truth is, I don’t know if he’ll be good. But neither do those of you bashing the move know that he’ll be bad. Only time will tell. Let’s all root for him to succeed. #LGM ⚾️

— CrazyMetsfan (@SusanKinsella1) November 2, 2019

I know I'm going to get killed for this because I always am whenever I say something positive about the Mets lately. But I love the Beltran move and I'm excited about what I hope will be a great offseason (Bullpen, Defense, CF, SP) for the Mets. 😀#LGM 🍎💙🧡

— Metsmerized Online ⚾️ (@MetsMerized) November 2, 2019

If true, great hire by #Mets https://t.co/dY0Yx6d55y

— gRudaj (@g_rudaj) November 1, 2019

START THE CONVERSATION: WHAT DO YOU THINK? DO YOU LIKE THE DECISION TO HIRE CARLOS BELTRAN AS MANAGER?