In return to Astros, Beltran has pivotal role

HOUSTON — When a young outfielder named Carlos Beltran landed at Minute Maid Park halfway through the 2004 season, he stepped into a clubhouse that had a huge veteran presence. Craig Biggio, Jeff Bagwell, Lance Berkman, Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte, Roy Oswalt, Brad Ausmus and Jeff Kent were accomplished stars who had seen everything in the game.

Beltran, a budding star at only 27 who possessed every tool on the field to be great, soaked in the experience. He listened and learned from a group with Hall of Fame resumes and watched how they did things on and off the field. Now he’s come full circle at 39, returning to the Astros 12 years later as one of the veterans a young team will depend upon.

“I take a lot of pride in that,” said Beltran, who signed a one-year, $16 million deal in December. “When you’re a veteran player and have played the game for such a long time, you gain experience. I take it personal. I want to help the younger guys. I want to impact the kids and the younger guys in a very positive way on and off the field. I’m a guy that understands my responsibility as a player, but also my responsibility as a teammate, that I take very seriously.”

Beltran, a 19-year veteran who’s played in 55 career postseason games, isn’t the only newcomer bringing experience and leadership to the Astros. The team traded for veteran catcher Brian McCann and signed veteran outfielder Josh Reddick — two more players who have seen …

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