Astros held funeral for Beltran's outfield glove and it got weird
It's been just over two months since Carlos Beltran last played a game in the field, and the Houston Astros took notice by holding a funeral for the 40-year-old's long-unused glove Monday.
And, proving that this was no impromptu ceremony, Beltran's teammates pulled out all the stops:
The Astros' funeral for Carlos Beltran's outfield glove was apparently taken VERY seriously (photos via @GettyImages) pic.twitter.com/QV1PLdyZAb
— Katie McInerney (@k8tmac) July 17, 2017
George Springer and Ken Giles brought multiple tombstones - presumably all for the same glove, but hey, they're not professional undertakers. They commemorated Beltran's multiple achievements as an outfielder, including his three Gold Gloves with the New York Mets.
Then Josh Reddick carried the glove out in what appeared to be a shoebox-turned-casket accompanied by Brian McCann. And that's when it got a little odd:
More photos from Carlos Beltran's glove being laid to rest. Rev. Brian McCann presiding. (Photos from Getty Images). pic.twitter.com/IRNoUsRmac
— Matt Young (@Chron_MattYoung) July 17, 2017
McCann suits the part of clergyman/cult leader so well that, out of context, the Astros may look like they belong in a season of "True Detective."
Despite having fun with it, McCann's eulogy apparently had some not-safe-for-work language.
"Ask him," Beltran said of the ceremony-leader to Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle. "He will tell you what he said ... He said a few words that I cannot put in the media."
Beltran added: "I love it. I have fun with them. They have fun with me. That's what a team should be."
For the past 41 games, Beltran has been relegated to DH or pinch-hitting duties - a stretch where the veteran has slashed .217/.290/.433.
Astros manager A.J. Hinch apparently believes in reanimation though. "We're going to dig it back up," the Astros skipper said. "We're going to need it."
We'd definitely welcome Beltran's zombie glove.