during his rookie season when then-Boston manager Jimy Williams was asked about the young outfielder his team was facing.
Friday. "That was after just two games."
writing the 1999 AL Rookie of the Year's name on Houston's lineup card.
Beltran joined the Astros for a road game against the Texas Rangers on Friday night. It was a day after last-place Kansas City traded him to a Houston team clearly intent on trying to get to its first World Series this season.
Beltran singled, doubled and scored Houston's only run in a 3-1 loss to Texas.
division-leading St. Louis, shuffled their lineup both in the batting order and in the field.
everybody else down one from their normal spots in the lineup.
hitter and Jeff Bagwell hitting sixth.
can't really pitch around anybody."
shifted from left to right, where he has played before.
Houston spent millions last offseason to bring pitchers Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte to Houston. Clemens, the majors' first 10-game winner, agreed to only a one-year deal. Pettitte is expected to end a monthlong stint on the DL when he's scheduled to pitch Tuesday.
The trade for Beltran, which Berkman called the "best offensive acquisition" the team could've made, shows the Astros are serious about winning this year.
said he doesn't feel any added pressure.
and looking forward to start winning games."
Beltran's departure a day earlier brought tears to Royals manager Tony Pena. As he left the clubhouse for Houston, Beltran placed a note in Pena's office where he knew he would find it.
best manager I ever played for. God bless you and your family.' "
It was, Pena said, "Tough. Very tough."
but sometimes it is out of our hands and it is tough to deal with."
when general manager Allard Baird called him Thursday night with the news.
first baseman. "Carlos is a great man."
Royals general manager Allard Baird is generally getting high marks for the trade, especially considering that everyone in baseball knew he planned to unload Beltran. The Royals last offered the smooth switch-hitter a contract "two Decembers ago," Baird said.
reach. Quite frankly, out of a lot of teams' reaches," he said.