[EmpireWF]

Julio Franco today during the Mets-Nats game showed a couple instances of his great leadership. When Omar Minaya signed him during the off-season, it was questioned by the media and fans but things like today show what he had in mind.

First, Jose Guillen takes steps towards the mound and Pedro Martinez after being hit in the arm (2nd HBP of the night, 3rd of series). After being subdued by the Ump, Guillen is escorted to 1st. Franco personally goes over and calms him down and the game continues.

Later in the game, Carlos Beltran hits a two run home-run. He goes back into the dugout and puts his gloves/helmet away. The fans chant his name wanting a curtain call but Beltran doesn't want to and sites down. The camera showed him shaking his head...Franco talks to him, and then goes over to him and talks some more and finally Beltran goes out of the dugout for the curtain call.

Oh boy...what was Beltran thinking? Anyway, Julio is exactly the kind of player every team SHOULD have.

[ThePundit]

Great point Empire. Franco saved Beltran's butt. You can never win that kind of battle with the fans. You can't be so thin skinned in NY. You've got to ignore boos, otherwise don't sign here.

[legend]

Beltran is a disaster waiitng to happen if he doesn't hit right away. If he does then the fans will cut him some slack;if he doesn't they will absolutely run him out of town. What did he think he was getting into in New York? The talk that he was too sensitive for the New York market might be right after all.

[EmpireWF]

It does look like Beltran is beginnnig to wake up on the basepaths, a sign that he's finallly healthy. He's got to hit better (obviously, won't hit as good as he did in Houston), but as long as he produces with Reyes on base and Delgado behind him, all is well.