STATEMENTS ON CARLOS BELTRÁN
FROM YANKEES SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER BRIAN CASHMAN:
“Carlos was an incredible all-around talent on the field, and the back of his baseball card speaks for itself. What shouldn’t be lost about his career is the impact he made on giving a stronger voice to Latin baseball players, including the way he spearheaded the effort to have Spanish language interpreters in every clubhouse.”
FROM FORMER YANKEES MANAGER JOE GIRARDI:
“Carlos was a complete player and could change the game in so many ways both offensively and defensively. As a switch-hitter, he was a difficult out from both sides of the plate, and he could hit for average and power, which is extremely rare for such a strong defensive outfielder. He was also a very good baserunner and one of the smartest players I have ever been around.”
FROM FORMER YANKEES CAPTAIN AND HALL OF FAMER DEREK JETER:
“Carlos was a player that could do it all on the baseball field and one of the game’s great minds. He was an integral part of the success on every team he played for. Congrats Carlos.”
STATEMENTS ON ANDRUW JONES
FROM CASHMAN:
“Andruw was such a gifted baseball player. Beyond the speed and power combination, he played centerfield like few on Earth could. It was a body of work that now lands him in Cooperstown and earns him the deserving title of Hall of Famer.”
FROM GIRARDI:
“Andruw was the best centerfielder of my generation. He had big-time power, and I felt like he drove in a hundred runs a year every season. He was a dangerous offensive player, played centerfield like he was born to be out there, and did it all while carrying a big smile on his face. I’m thankful for my opportunity to have managed him and I’m so happy for his inclusion into the Hall of Fame.”
FROM JETER:
“From playing against him in the World Series when he was 19 years old to becoming teammates later in our careers and even better friends since, Andruw will go down as one of the best centerfielders to ever play this game. Congrats Dru!”