With the Subway Series going on right now between the New York Mets against the New York Yankees, it’s the perfect time to bring you our exclusive interview with a future Hall of Famer that has played for both teams: Carlos Beltrán. Currently in the first of a three year $45 million dollar Yankee contract, Beltrán previously played for the Mets seven seasons. He has also played with the Kansas City Royals, Houston Astros, San Francisco Giants, and St. Louis Cardinals.

Professionally, Beltrán was the American League (AL) Rookie of the Year in 1999 with the Royals. He has been named to eight Major League Baseball All-Star Games, and has won three Gold Glove Awards and two Silver Slugger Awards. He’s a member of the 30 –30 club and is among the best all-time statistical hitters in postseason games, leading several offensive categories including slugging percentage, runs scored in a single postseason, and at bats per home run-ratio.

On a personal level he’s committed to giving back, especially to the youth. Construction of the Carlos Beltrán Baseball Academy began in 2009, in the municipality of Florida, Puerto Rico. It takes over 30 acres, accepting students between the ages of 14 to 18 years, with a curriculum that includes instruction by MLB players.

Hennessy V.S. celebrates Carlos Beltran and Latinos in Baseball (Yankee president Randy Levine, Carlos Beltran and Hennessy Senior Vice president Rodney Williams )

I spoke with Beltrán as he was honored by Hennessy, during a reception at the restaurant he co-owns, Sofrito. The number one selling Cognac brand in the world, has established the Latinos in Baseball initiative to further solidify its relationship with the Hispanic community. It’s a relationship that began in 1860 when the first shipment of Hennessy arrived in Mexico. Since then the brand continues to demonstrate its commitment through unwavering support of arts, culture and athleticism.

HOMBRE: How does it feel to be back in New York?
Carlos Beltran: It feels great to be back. When I look at my career, after being able to play sixteen years in baseball, nine of them in New York, it really means a lot.

H: What made you join the New York Yankees?
CB: Honestly, I based my decision on the opportunity of winning championships. The Yankees have always been an organization to put a good team out there. They have pride in winning, they’re all about championships. In my career I’ve never been able to win a championship. I thought it was a great opportunity for me.

H: What are the chances for a championship in New York this year?
CB: We have a good chance. We have a tough division, every team is well balanced. But at the end of the day we have a good group of guys. What is going to be important for us is to stay healthy as a team. If we are capable of doing that, we have a chance.

H: You are very passionate about adding Spanish/English language translators to baseball teams, why is it so important for the league to establish such a policy?
CB: It’s important because a lot of guys that come and play in the big leagues don’t know the language. They do not know how to express themselves. Sometimes after a game when you have to address the media they have difficulties expressing what they want to say themselves, having somebody there can be helpful so they can translate the way they feel. Every Japanese player has a translator, but no Latinos. It will help conversation between player and player, and player and coach, and simplify things for the media.

H: How was it for you when you entered the League and were voted Rookie of the Year?
CB: I understood a little bit of English. I was starting to pick up the language. I did okay, I had good people around me. I put the time in trying to learn the language. I made some sacrifices to learn, but at the same time not everyone is the same. There are guys who have no interest in speaking English. At the end of the day they have to find a way where there is at least one translator for the team that can do the job.

H: What is the advice you give younger players?
CB: I believe in having pride for what you do. It can be anything, work hard and be the best you can. If you want to do something make sure you do it right, make sure you put in the time into it. In my case, playing baseball, I have to make sacrifices. I have really put time into my career, training wise, and investing in my body. I’m very proud of my career, and very thankful to God.

H: Who were the people you admired as a kid?
CB: I looked up to Roberto Clemente for what he did on the baseball field. As a humanitarian, being able to do so many good things for Latinos and standing up for Latino rights. Bernie Williams was another guy that I look up to a lot. I had the opportunity to play winter ball with him when I was 18 years old. He was a guy who inspired me to move forward, and continue to play the game.

H: What did winning the Roberto Clemente Award meant to you?
CB: It really meant a lot being able to win that award that is not related to baseball. It was a great opportunity, it made me proud of what I do.

H: What about Hennessy’s Latinos in Baseball initiative?
C: I think it’s great. When you have a company that wants to promote the sport and promote people moving forward with their dreams and, to never stop, it’s always good.

H: What made you get into the restaurant business?
CB: I was a big fan of Sofrito when it first opened. I always came here and loved the food and enjoyed it. Coming here I feel like I’m eating at my mom’s kitchen. The flavor was so good. I asked the owner if he was willing to sell a portion of the restaurant I was willing to be part of it. I’ve been part of it for 8 years, it’s a great feeling. The food is great, the atmosphere is nice. When I come here I know that I eat food that is related to my country.

H: What’s your favorite dish here?
CB: Everything. Everything is good. Every time I come here I try and get something different.

H: Besides your leadership role in the baseball translator issue, what other plans do you have to continue as a leader in the community?
CB: I believe in creating opportunities. I believe there are a lot of guys out there and they want to succeed, they just don’t have the motivation. Sometimes we have to provide the motivation for them to realize that they have a passion for something and they can move forward with that passion. I’m a founder of a high school in Puerto Rico. I have 140 kids, they come because they want to be ball players. When they come their GPA is 2.5, and when they graduate there it’s 3.5 maybe 4.0. That’s because they found a place where they’re passionate. They’re doing what they love to and they get their education from a different level. That’s what it’s all about, finding their passion.

H: Why is that so important to you?
CB: I believe God has put me in this place. I never dreamed I would ever be here. I worked hard to get here. There are a lot of kids like me growing up that have the talent and not the opportunity. These kids need to find their motivation so they can take it to the next level. Its about creating opportunities.

H: When you finish your career, do you have any thoughts to what you might do?
CB: I want to be with my kids in the academy. Working with them, being able to pass to them what I learned through baseball. The good and the bad. Hopefully they can learn and take advantage of what we’re doing for them. I have passion for teaching my sport, and about life. I got to this level when I was very young. I got blessed because I have many good people that helped me and I was willing to listen. I was very fortunate, I want to pass on all the good things that I have learned in life.

Carlos Beltran with HOMBRE Magazine’s Francisco Romeo