Carlos Beltran’s Hall of Fame induction removes any lingering ambiguity about his legacy, officially cementing his identity as a New York Met.
Carlos Beltran spent seven seasons with the Mets. | Robert Deutsch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
With his Cooperstown plaque set to feature a Mets cap, the franchise received the clarity it quietly hoped for.
Beltran joins Jeff Kent and Andruw Jones in the 2026 class, closing the book on career evaluation debates.
What remains unsettled is not his greatness, but the Mets’ next symbolic responsibility.
The question is simple, yet telling: when will the Mets retire Carlos Beltran’s number?
Historically, the organization treated number retirements with restraint, reserving the honor almost exclusively for Hall of Famers.
That standard softened over time, expanding to include beloved icons whose legacies transcended Cooperstown credentials.
Beltran now meets every imaginable criterion, yet no formal announcement has been made.
Precedent suggests patience, as Mike Piazza’s number waited until Hall induction before retirement ceremonies followed.
Before that, Tom Seaver stood alone, reinforcing how exceptional number retirements once were.
The only real complication would have emerged had Beltran chosen a Royals cap.
He didn’t, eliminating hesitation entirely.
Despite that, number fifteen has circulated freely, worn by multiple short-term Mets without reverence.
That casual usage makes the delay feel more uncomfortable than procedural.
The Mets have marquee home dates approaching, offering ideal stages for the moment.
An early-season ceremony would feel intentional rather than reactive.
Mike Puma says the decision remains “in play,” though the outcome feels inevitable.
At this point, delay only dilutes the message.
Beltran’s legacy is secure.
The Mets just need to acknowledge it properly.
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