Carlos Beltran has been officially introduced as the Mets' 22nd manager, and he couldn't be more excited for this opportunity to lead the team he once called home as a player.
"First of all, [Mets GM] Brodie [Van Wagenen], thank you for being so kind and all those words. Honestly, for me, I feel thankful for this opportunity," Beltran said on Monday morning at Citi Field. "First of all, would like to always as a player I give the glory and honor to God, and I want to do the same here. I want to thank God for this opportunity. I'm very blessed to be standing up here in front of you guys as the new manager of the New York Mets."
Beltran continued with his thanks all around the room, from Fred Wilpon and Jeff Wilpon, to his family, who were in attendance. He made sure to thanks his wife, Jessica, saying "my wife was very supportive for me for 20 years as a player."
Following that, the 42-year-old was very candid in what he was feeling at that very moment he put the Mets jersey on once again -- in fact the same No. 15 he wore.
"I'm overwhelmed, a little bit overwhelmed by this opportunity. But at the same time, I'm excited," Beltran said. "[I'm] looking forward to manage this ballclub, looking forward to continue establishing relationships in this city. Throughout 20 years of [my] career as a ballplayer, I was able to embrace the game of baseball."
Van Wagenen said he and his team went through "a thorough and extensive search," one that was longer than other teams that found their new skipper. But, as Van Wagenen said, "we were detailed and wanted to make sure we get it right."
The Mets believe they have in Beltran, who has 20 years of experience as a player and has been a part of the game since then. Most recently, he was a special advisor for Yankees GM Brian Cashman after being an interviewee for the Yankees' managerial vacancy in 2018.
Beltran now gets that opportunity to lead a team, one that he was a star of from 2005-2011. He made five of his nine All-Star Games during that stretch while owning a .280/.369/.500 slash line with 149 homers and 559 RBI among his many great stats.
When Beltran was traded in 2011 to the Giants, there was little rift between both sides. But that has been cleared up, and Beltran acknowledged that.
"I would not be standing here if everything wasn't clear with the organization," he said. "So I'm excited to be back. Honestly, it was a situation I was able to move forward."
So, while he had success on the field in that regard, he is certainly looking to do the same in his new role with the ballclub. He noted that his playing days in different organizations allowed him to learn how to deal with players on and off the field. He can "have those tough conversations" and knows how to work with each individual -- a very valuable asset in a manager.
Beltran understands there will be some trials and tribulations in his first season leading a team. However, he knows what it takes to win in New York, he has checked all the boxes for the Mets front office, and he's hungry to get back into this game in this exact role -- one he said he always thought about during his career.
"Baseball is a rollercoaster guys and I know this will be the same, but I'm excited," he said. "I just can't wait to rewrite our story being the manager of the New York Mets."