Carlos Beltran Becomes First Switch Hitter with 300 HR and 300 SB

Carlos Beltran of the St. Louis Cardinals became the first switch hitter in history Friday night to hit 300 home runs and steal 300 bases.

In the second inning against the Kansas City Royals, Beltran led off the inning with a single to right field. He stood pat at first base until David Freese and Yadier Molina had both struck out swinging. With Matt Adams at the plate, Beltran broke for second and made history.

His 300th stolen base puts him in elite company alongside the likes of Barry Bonds, Bobby Bonds, Andre Dawson, Steve Finley, Willie Mays, Alex Rodriguez and Reggie Sanders. He is the only switch-hitter on the list.

Beltran has 321 career home runs and stole his 299th base. It is his first stolen base since May 29 at Atlanta.

He boasts a .284 career batting average and an .861 OPS.

He is under contract with the Cardinals through 2013 for a total of $26 million. His NL-leading home run total of 19 has made him one of the best bargain free agents of the offseason.