Playing in New York is often seen as a benefit in raising a player's national profile.

But Beltran isn't even properly appreciated in New York, so playing here isn't a big help to his national reputation.

There's not a whole lot for me to add to what others have said but I was thinking Saturday night how different the games might look if he wasn't playing center field for the Mets.

I can't remember which inning it was, but the game was still reasonably close and he made a couple of catches, including one running away from the plate to left center.

That was a huge catch, but he made it look so easy I doubt ESPN even gave it a second look for web gems.
It would have gotten past some CFs for at least a double. Some others would have barely run it down and left their feet for a highlight film catch. For him, it was about his 50th-most difficult play of the year.

I don't think a lot of Mets fans will really appreciate him until he's gone.

No way. Not even close. If he was consistent with years like '03, '04, and '06, then you have an argument. As of this point however, he falls way short.

There's a big difference between appreciating someone and thinking they are a HOF'er. I appreciate his defesnive play all the time, his offensive play is spotty however, a consistently ok hitter with spurts that are quite the thing to behold.