Carlos Beltrán (Image Via Getty)Carlos Beltrán officially became a Baseball Hall of Famer on Sunday, but one part of the ceremony stood out as much as the honor itself. The nine-time All-Star chose to enter Cooperstown wearing a New York Mets cap and used his speech to explain why. Looking back on his career, Beltrán said his years in Queens changed him both as a player and as a person, adding that he has “never been prouder” to call himself a Met.Carlos Beltrán explains why he chose the New York Mets on his Hall of Fame plaqueBeltrán was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame alongside Andruw Jones and Jeff Kent during the ceremony in Cooperstown, New York. While he also spent more than six seasons with the Kansas City Royals, he said the Mets were the team that had the biggest impact on his life.Speaking during his Hall of Fame speech, Beltrán praised Mets owner Steve Cohen and Alex Cohen even as the club continues to go through a difficult season.“To Steve and Alex Cohen, I know this year might not look pretty, but what makes me proud is the culture that you have been able to create: making players, families, and employee values important.”He then spoke about his own connection with the organization. “And especially myself, having experience in different chapters in the Mets organization, I have to tell you guys that I have never been prouder to call myself a Met.”Beltrán played for the Mets from 2005 through 2011. He later returned to the organization as manager before stepping down in 2020 following the Houston Astros sign stealing investigation. He now serves as a special assistant to Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns.Carlos Beltrán says New York made him a better leader and personBeltrán said every team he played for helped shape his career, but he believes New York had the biggest influence on who he became.“And then, the New York Mets. Every organization shaped your career. New York shaped my life. It was here where I experienced my greatest success and some of my greatest challenges.”He added, “Playing for the Mets made me a better man and a better leader.”During the 17 minute speech, Beltrán thanked his parents, wife Jessica, their children, former teammates, coaches, Puerto Rico, Baseball Writers’ Association of America voters, Commissioner Rob Manfred, and former Mets manager Terry Collins.Speaking directly to Collins, Beltrán said, “You reminded me, Terry, that setbacks don’t really define us. What defines us is how we respond to them.”Beltrán finished his career with 435 home runs, 312 stolen bases, nine All Star selections and three Gold Gloves. His Hall of Fame plaque will forever show him as a member of the Mets, making him only the third player to enter Cooperstown wearing the franchise’s cap. The honor will continue later this season when the Mets retire his No. 15 jersey at Citi Field on September 19.