Beltran 4th switch-hitter to reach 1,500 RBIs
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NEW YORK -- Carlos Beltrán's second half has started just about the same way his first half went, with Beltran joining Mickey Mantle, Eddie Murray and Chipper Jones in the discussion of greatest switch-hitters ever.
Beltran crossed the 1,500 RBI threshold with a two-run single in the sixth inning during a 5-3 loss to the Red Sox on Friday to push across the Yankees' first runs of the second half, becoming just the fourth switch-hitter to reach 1,500 RBIs in a career, joining the aforementioned trio.
Earlier in the season, Beltran joined the two Hall of Famers and one likely future Hall of Famer as the only switch-hitters with 400 home runs. Teammate Mark Teixeira, a switch-hitter, later joined the 400 home run club as well. Beltran also became the fourth switch-hitter to reach 1,000 extra-base hits earlier this year.
The 39-year-old outfielder joined the 2,500 hit club this season and became just the fifth player in Major League history to record 500 doubles, 400 home runs and 300 stolen bases in a career, along with Alex Rodriguez, Barry Bonds, Andre Dawson and Willie Mays.