Houston Astros: Top 30 players in franchise history
By T.A. Mock
28. Carlos Beltran, OF/DH, 2004, 2017
The Astros were ready to contend in 2004 so, in June, they acquired Carlos Beltran in a three-team deal in order to further their contention hopes. Beltran was very good and was able to provide some serious pop in the middle of the order that needed that big spark. However, his contributions in the playoffs that year (.435 BA, 8 homers, 14 RBIs in 12 games) set him apart.
In the regular season, Beltran was performing at a high level as well, just not at those playoff levels. He blasted 23 home runs in 90 games, which averages out to over 40 in an entire season. He undoubtedly powered this team to the playoffs where he had that historic run.
That alone probably wouldn’t have gotten him into this top 30 but his return to the team 13 years later in 2017 puts him over the edge. He didn’t have a good season by nearly any stretch of the term but he provided an excellent veteran presence for a young team that needed it that ultimately helped them win a World Series.
Beltran’s presence vastly outweighed his subpar production from the DH spot and occasionally a game or two in the outfield. One of the best moments of Beltran’s second run in Houston was when the team held a funeral for his glove, oh the memories.