For ’04 Astros, Beltran was lightning in a bottle

HOUSTON — It’s been more than a dozen years since Carlos Beltran’s unforgettable October in Houston helped vault him to stardom. It was brief, but magical — and it still has his former teammates filled with wonder, even today.

Beltran, an up-and-coming star traded to the Astros in June 2004, tied Barry Bonds’ single-postseason record by hitting eight home runs in that postseason, including homers in five consecutive games. He signed with the Mets a few months after the Astros were eliminated in the National League Championship Series by the Cardinals, but his legacy remained.

Now that Beltran is returning to Houston at 39 years old — he signed a one-year, $16 million deal this offseason — those who were around him in 2004 still have vivid memories of his October to remember.

“There’s some guys who wear a Superman shirt, but he was Superman,” Hall of Fame second baseman Craig Biggio said. “Anybody that was part of it, that saw it, watched it — every ball he hit was hard. Every out he made was hard. It was one of the most incredible hitting experiences I’ve seen in my life for that time of year and the numbers he threw up.”

Beltran, a dynamic switch-hitter, was traded from the Royals to an Astros team that was loaded with star power but underperforming late in June. He played only 90 regular-season games with the Astros, batting .258 with 23 home runs, 53 RBIs and 28 stolen bases and helping the Astros go 36-10 down the stretch to clinch the NL Wild Card on the final day of the season.

“He was possibly the most talented player I ever played with, just in terms of speed, power, arm strength,” former Astros catcher Brad Ausmus said. “He was a five-tool …

continue reading in source mlb.mlb.com