While Carlos Beltran eventually played for the New York Yankees late in his career, it seems that team legend Bernie Williams cost the club the chance to land the future Hall of Famer right in the middle of his prime.
When Beltran hit the free-agent market in the winter following the 2004 season, many around the sport thought there was a very good chance he would end up playing in the Bronx for the Yankees. Top stars joining the team every offseason was a way of life in MLB at the time. Plus, Beltran grew up as a Yankees fan, and his idol, Williams, was still an active member of the roster.
Yet, to the surprise of many around baseball, in-city rivals the New York Mets won the free-agent sweepstakes for the one-time All-Star and talented center fielder. Beltran would go on to play six and a half seasons in Queens. Earning All-Star honors on four occasions and three Gold Gloves. For years, there has been speculation about why he chose the Mets over the Yankees, with the common assumption being that the NL team offered better money.
Bernie Williams inadvertently blocked the NY Yankees from signing Carlos BeltranWhen Carlos Beltrán hit free agency following the 2004 MLB season, he called Bernie Williams and asked Bernie if he planned on remaining with the Yankees and playing center field
Williams said yes
Beltrán, who had always looked up to him, then decided to pursue other landing… pic.twitter.com/RyAWHbc5Io
However, in a new clip from an upcoming SNY documentary on Beltran, a surprising nugget of fresh intelligence emerged about that infamous 2004 decision. According to the new Hall of Famer, out of respect for his idol, he actually called Williams after the season and asked him if he intended to keep manning center field for the Yankees in 2004 and beyond.
“He gave me a phone call at my house, and basically the main question was, ‘Do you think you’re going to stay with the Yankees, and would you still want to play as the center fielder?’ At the time, my answer was, ‘Yes.’ He took that and said, ‘Well, if you’re going to do that, I’m just going to pursue other opportunities,'” Williams recalled in a clip from the new doc.
How good could the NY Yankees have been in 2004 with Carlos Beltran?Jul 26, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Carlos Beltran (36) during a game against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY SportsWilliams was entering his age-36 season and had already played 14 seasons in the pinstripes. While he earned All-Star honors five times and was a four-time Gold Glove winner, his best seasons were behind him. It made sense for him to step aside and take a corner outfield spot or play DH. However, he still saw himself as an everyday CF. The Yankees respected that. And Beltran respected that, but wanted that spot as he was emerging as one of MLB’s best at the position at that time.
In 2005, the Yankees still had many of the key players from their dynasty years, including Derek Jeter, Hideki Matsui, and Mariano Rivera. They also added superstar shortstop Alex Rodriguez the year before. Beltran would have been a great addition on both sides of the ball for that team.
With Beltran, maybe the Yankees would have reached the World Series in 2005, 2006, or 2007, instead of being eliminated in the Division Series all three of those years.
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