After 16 seasons, St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Carlos Beltran finally got to the World Series, but unfortunately for the slugger, he only lasted two innings before having to leave due to an injury.
Beltran robbed David Ortiz of what would have been a grand slam with a spectacular catch over the right-field wall in the bottom of the second inning in Game 1 of the best-of-seven series at Fenway Park, but crashed right into the wall with his ribs and eventually had to leave the game.
The Red Sox went on to win the game 8-1.
Beltran finished out the inning in discomfort before departing through the club house tunnel with a trainer between innings. Beltran is listed as day-to-day after X-rays on his ribs came back negative at the hospital, according to ESPN.
The Cardinals were already trailing 4-0 in the second when Big Papi laced the ball to right with the bases loaded, but Beltran was able to somewhat nonchalantly haul it in over the wall before it reached the bullpen grass, but the catch would cost him. Shane Robinson shifted over from centerfield to right and Jon Jay came in the game to play center after Beltran exited.
Beltran is a revered postseason hitter, owning a .337 average with 16 homers and 37 RBIs in 45 postseason games, but he struck out in what is to date his only World Series at-bat.
In the regular season, Beltran hit .296 with 24 long balls and 84 RBIs. Through 12 postseason games this October, Beltran has two homers and 12 RBIs. He hit .222 in the National League Division Series against the Pittsburgh Pirates before improving to .286 in the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Cardinals are already in a 1-0 hole, and they hope Beltran will be back either Thursday for Game 2 or Saturday for Game 3 in St. Louis, but he remains day-to-day.
Beltran waited 16 years for a taste of the World Series, and now, at the very least, he'll have to wait a couple of more days.
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