January 9, 2005 8:59 AM

If this is the worst thing that happens today, we'll be having a very good day

BELTRAN SAYS ADIOS TO ASTROS: Houston star to sign with Mets, his agent says

The Houston area wakes up this morning to the sad news that Carlos Beltran will not be back. Another overpaid athlete flies the coop. Hey, y’all, if this is the biggest disappointment we’re going to have learn to deal with, we must collectively be leading a very charmed existence.

Despite a record contract offer from the Astros, free agent Carlos Beltran will not play for the team next season.

Beltran, the 27-year-old center fielder who helped the Astros to their first playoff series win and captivated the city’s baseball fans with his amazing array of skills, turned down the biggest contract in Astros history just a few minutes before an 11 p.m. Saturday deadline and chose to sign with the New York Mets.

“It slipped through our fingers in the last, last few minutes,” said Astros owner Drayton McLane, who was told by Beltran’s agent that Beltran was finalizing his deal with the Mets. “It was just some sticking points. It should never, never have gotten to this.”

Because Beltran earlier had declined salary arbitration, the Astros had until the 11 p.m. deadline to sign him or lose negotiating rights until May 1….

Beltran’s offer from the Astros was believed to be for seven years and more than $105 million, surpassing in total value the Astros’ previous record contract of $85 million for Jeff Bagwell.

Carlos Beltran is a phenomenal talent, and I have no doubt that he will make the sorry Mets franchise instantly more formidable. I certainly don’t fault him for taking what he felt was the best offer. After all, how many of us wouldn’t have done the same thing?

What bothers me about this whole scenario is the way Carlos Beltran has been portrayed as someone who is important to Houston and it’s future. Hey, c’mon, y’all; let’s get a grip on reality, shall we? Beltran is a baseball player. Outside of helping Houston baseball fans feel better about themselves, what does Beltran (or anyone else on the Astros’ roster) really add? No, I’m not about to denigrate Beltran, because he is very good at what he does. Nonetheless, does he save lives? Does he educate our children? Does he protect us from those who would do us harm? Not hardly.

There are at least a couple members of Houston’s City Council who could stand to be reminded that Beltran’s contribution, while not unimportant, will ultimately not be missed.

“I’m excited about the energy and focus Drayton McLane put on this opportunity,” said Councilman Adrian Garcia, who was a member of the old Astros’ Buddy program as a child. “It demonstrated Drayton McLane’s commitment to maintain a winning team. It’s a great opportunity to create an image that’s consistent with the city of Houston.”

“Drayton is to be commended for making the offer, for taking such a serious and significant position,” said Councilwoman Carol Alvarado, a longtime Astros fan who submitted a letter urging Beltran to sign with the Astros. “Thank you to our city leaders who stepped up and sent letters and proclamations to Carlos. We really wanted to make clear we were serious about baseball.”

I suppose it’s good to be serious about baseball, but how about getting serious about the issues facing Houston? Instead of worrying about an obscenely-overpaid athlete, how about making sure the the city works?

As for the rest of us, let’s not waste any time in mourning. What have we really lost here? We are minus one fabulously wealthy athlete. So what? The sun will continue rise in the east, and life will continue. Hey, if losing Carlos Beltran is the biggest rejection Houston is forced to deal with, we’ll all be in good shape.

Stop your whining. Pitchers and catchers report in less than a month. Deal with it….

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This page contains a single entry by Jack Cluth published on January 9, 2005 8:59 AM.

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