NL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: ASTROS v CARDINALS

October 17, 2004

Carlos Beltran

CARLOS BELTRAN: Well, I just feel great. It feels great just to be able to do something that Barry Bonds did. But at the same time, I'm just going out there and trying to do my job. I'm not thinking about hit home runs, I'm thinking about doing things differently. I'm just thinking about, "Just put the ball in play, see the ball, hit the ball," and good things are happening to me right now. I'm seeing the ball good. I have a good approach at the plate. I'm not trying to do too much. I'm just relaxed, and being relaxed on the plate, patient, feels good.

CARLOS BELTRAN: I think all of them feel great, just being able to contribute, being able to help the team. But this one is more special because this one gives us the lead. I knew it was in the eighth and we also knew that Lidge was going to come into the game and face a good part of the lineup for them. But he did a great job, and we were able to win the ballgame.

CARLOS BELTRAN: Well, as a player, this is what you look for, being in this situation. I really thank God; he has given me this opportunity just to be in the situation, being able to contribute, being able to help the team. There's no better feeling than this. This is right here and right now, it's a dream come true for me.

CARLOS BELTRAN: Well, I'm seeing the ball good but I just have to say that I knew who I was facing; I was facing Tavarez. He's a guy that has a real good sinker, real good slider and also has a split. After I took two in the back door, I knew that he probably was going to be able to throw another one, so I just told myself, "Just relax, stay back and try to put the ball in play." That's what I did. I saw the ball and I hit it with the fat part of the bat. When I saw that ball just leaving the ballpark, I just felt great.

CARLOS BELTRAN: I got to be honest with you, we don't feel pressure at all, man. We feel good. After we were two behind, we were coming home. We knew playing in front of our crowd was going to be a little bit easier for us and we really play well in this ballpark. Just being able just to get back and tie the series, I think the pressure is with them.

CARLOS BELTRAN: Well, if I was, I don't remember, you know. I think this is the first time probably that I felt like this. But at the same time, I just feel happy that I'm not putting pressure on myself, I'm not trying, I'm just letting things happen.

CARLOS BELTRAN: It still looks like a baseball for me. I haven't gotten to that point yet (laughter). I'm just seeing the ball good. I'm just waiting for the pitcher just to release the ball. Sometimes as a player you get in a tendency before the pitcher releases the ball you start jumping. Right now I'm not jumping, I'm just letting the ball get to me and I'm recognizing the pitches good.

CARLOS BELTRAN: Doesn't amaze me because we got the talent to do this. I think we have a lot of good players in our ballclub. It's a dream for me being able to play around guys like Bagwell, Biggio, Clemens, Berkman. It's really helping me a lot just to be a better player. At the same time, hitting in the second spot, having Bagwell behind me, I'm seeing good pitches to hit. So I just have to say that it doesn't amaze me in the point where we are because we got a good team.

CARLOS BELTRAN: I'm trying to see the ball and hit the ball. I'm not guessing at all. I'm just concentrating all on the baseball. Good things are happening to me right now. I just feel good at the plate. There's a moment in the season where you feel upbeat, and there's a moment when you feel lost. Most of the time when you feel lost it's because you start guessing and not trusting your hand, your ability. Right now I really trust my ability, I trust my hands and I'm trusting in myself.

CARLOS BELTRAN: Pujols is a great hitter, man. I don't compare myself with Pujols. I'm trying to do my part; he's trying to do his part. Good things are happening to me and good things are happening to him.

CARLOS BELTRAN: Well, I just feel comfortable hitting second. Having Biggio in front of me, having Bagwell behind me, I think it's great. I have a lot of protection. It feels good. They're pitching to me and I'm trying to take advantage of that.