MLB teams
Eddie Matz, ESPN Senior Writer 8y

Carlos Beltran says Bernie Williams was one of his idols

Texas Rangers

In the latest Burning Questions, Texas Rangers new addition Carlos Beltran says he is prepared for anything, just don't ask him 'what happened' when you already know the answer.

Who was your favorite player growing up?

Beltran: Bernie Williams. He was a centerfielder and that was the position I played when I was growing up, before I signed as a professional. That was my position and he was one of the guys from Puerto Rico. I had the opportunity to play a little bit of winter ball with him when I was 18. That was a great experience. I grew up hitting righty, but I was thinking of becoming a switch-hitter. So he was a guy that I got the opportunity to watch and I was able to learn a lot from him. I didn't become a switch-hitter until I was a professional in single-A.

Who is your favorite player to watch today (not a teammate)?

Beltran: Mike Trout. I like to watch him play. He's very dynamic. Plays good defense, also a power guy. He can impact the game on the base paths, also. That was my game when I first came up to the big-leagues -- try to get on base, try to steal bases and try to play defense in centerfield.

Who is your most underrated teammate?

Beltran: Mitch Moreland. He's a good defender. He can impact the game offensively. Sometimes players fly under the radar, and he's one of those guys.

What's the most annoying question you are asked by the media?

Beltran: Honestly speaking, I'm prepared for anything. But let's say something happened on the field, like maybe you don't get a good read, or maybe you don't come through, and they ask you, 'What happened?' Well, you already saw what happened, so how do you want me to describe it? But I guess it's part of the process.

One rule you would change?

Beltran: It's gotta be the All-Star Game rule. Normally the fans choose the players they want to see, but I believe the manager should be the one making the lineup. Let the fans be in charge of choosing the players, but let the manager get to choose who starts.

Who is ultimately responsible for policing the game? Players, manager, umpires, league?

Beltran: I would say it's the league. Every organization is going to have their rules that you gotta follow, but the league is the one that's making sure that everything is looking professional.

How big of a problem are PEDs in today's game?

Beltran: Players are more aware that suspensions are very strict these days. They're taking notice of that. They don't want to look bad. If this was back in the day, I would say it was a problem. There wasn't a rule implemented. Right now, with all the tests that we get, I think it's good that baseball is headed to that direction. No doubt it's better than it used to be. But I believe there's always room to improve.

What is something that people don't know about you or have wrong about you?

Beltran: I don't really show a lot of emotions on the field. That's who I am as a ballplayer, so people think that I'm super super serious, but I like to have fun. But my fun is super-boring. Being with the family is my pastime. Every time I get the opportunity to be with my actual family, or my family back home in Puerto Rico, I like doing barbecues at the house. I make sure everybody comes, and I make sure they have fun.

^ Back to Top ^