Section of PR-670 in Manatí named after Hall of Fame-bound Beltrán

The designation of a stretch of highway PR-670 in Manatí as “Carlos Iván Beltrán Avenue” applies to the section of the roadway that runs in front of the Manatí Acropolis in the northern coastal town.

By THE STAR STAFF

Gov. Jenniffer González Colón signed a resolution Tuesday designating a section of highway PR-670 in Manatí as “Carlos Iván Beltrán Avenue,” in recognition of the former Major League Baseball player’s career and his recent election to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

The designation applies to the section of the roadway that runs in front of the Manatí Acropolis, as established by Senate Joint Resolution 122, which, with the governor’s signature, became Joint Resolution 9-2026.

“Today we honor one of our greatest Major League Baseball legends, a man born and raised here in Manatí, who, through hard work, discipline, and dedication, became a role model for our youth,” González Colón said at a press conference.

Beltrán, a native of Manatí, enjoyed a 20-season career in Major League Baseball after being selected in the second round of the 1995 draft at the age of 18. Throughout his career, he was recognized with numerous accolades, including the American League Rookie of the Year award in 1999, three Gold Gloves, two Silver Slugger awards, nine All-Star selections, and the Roberto Clemente Award in 2013.

“It was always very important for me to send a message to the youth of Puerto Rico through my Major League career,” Beltrán said.

Manatí Mayor José Sánchez González noted that Beltrán became the first person from the northern coastal town to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.

On Jan. 20, Beltrán was elected to the Hall of Fame with 84% of the vote, becoming the sixth Puerto Rican to achieve the honor, joining Roberto Clemente, Orlando “Peruchín” Cepeda, Roberto Alomar, Iván Rodríguez and Edgar Martínez.