Empire Writes Back
Fansided

New York Mets all-time starting lineup

By Michael Pallas

FUKUOKA, JAPAN - NOVEMBER 8: Jose Reyes #7 of the New York Mets hits the ball during the Aeon All Star Series Day 5 - MLB v Japan All-Stars at Fukuoka Yahoo! Japan Dome on November 8, 2006 in Fukuoka, Japan. MBL All-Star team won today's game 5-3, meaning they have won every one of the five game series. (Photo by Koichi Kamoshida/Getty Images)
FUKUOKA, JAPAN - NOVEMBER 8: Jose Reyes #7 of the New York Mets hits the ball during the Aeon All Star Series Day 5 - MLB v Japan All-Stars at Fukuoka Yahoo! Japan Dome on November 8, 2006 in Fukuoka, Japan. MBL All-Star team won today's game 5-3, meaning they have won every one of the five game series. (Photo by Koichi Kamoshida/Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OH – JULY 25: Carlos Beltran #15 of the New York Mets drives in the game-tying run in the seventh inning with a sacrifice fly against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on July 25, 2011 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – JULY 25: Carlos Beltran #15 of the New York Mets drives in the game-tying run in the seventh inning with a sacrifice fly against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on July 25, 2011 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

When choosing a center fielder, you need a man who can cover ground and has a good arm. Well, no one in major league history put the total package together — both on offense and defense — quite like Carlos Beltran.

Beltran may have been the best position player in Mets history. He hit .280/.369/.500 with the Mets. All told, he had 149 home runs and 100 stolen bases. He did all of that while playing a brilliant center field.

He won the Gold Glove in three consecutive years in the National League and back-to-back Silver Sluggers. Beltran was also a five-time All Star with the Mets — tied for the most among position players and tied for second-most with Mike Piazza.

Beltran was an integral piece that brought the Mets back to the limelight for a little while. He was both a fan favorite and the piece the Mets needed in the middle of the lineup to get a shot at the National League pennant. Even though he may be infamously known for the strikeout that ended the 2006 NLCS, without Beltran in the lineup, the Mets wouldn’t have even been there. Beltran’s bat is needed in this lineup.

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