MLB

Mattingly, Beltran in race for first World Series

ST. LOUIS — Go fourth and go forth.

On one side you have Carlos Beltran, taking his fourth shot as a player at winning a League Championship Series and finally reaching the World Series. On the other stands Don Mattingly, about to participate in his fourth LCS as a coach or manager — after failing to reach that level in 14 seasons playing for the Yankees — and hoping to finally get to the World Series.

One of these former New York superstars will end the drought when this NLCS between the Cardinals and Dodgers is resolved. The opening act is Friday at Busch Stadium, with Zack Greinke scheduled to face the Cardinals’ Joe Kelly.

“In the offseason a few years ago, the reason I signed here was because of the tradition this organization has, being able to put things together and go to the playoffs,” Beltran said after a Cardinals workout Thursday. “For me, last year it was fun, and it has been fun this year again.”

Last year’s journey took Beltran to Game 7 of the NLCS against the Giants before his dream was dashed. Beltran also was on the losing end of the NLCS with the Astros in 2004 and Mets in 2006. Both teams lost to the Cardinals in Game 7.

“In my case, I understand that being able to win a World Series is not an easy task,” Beltran said. “There are many players who have played this game who haven’t even experienced, been in the playoffs, so for me I’m just fortunate just being able to be here.”

Beltran said he is “big fan” of Mattingly’s and always makes a point to say hello to the Dodgers manager, but was not aware Mattingly hasn’t been involved in a World Series.

“I didn’t know that, but we’re different players,” Beltran said. “It’s hard, but I’m here and we’ll see.”

Mattingly’s only postseason appearance as player came in 1995, when the Yankees lost to the Mariners in the AL Division Series. Mattingly retired after the season, just as the Yankees were on the verge of winning four World Series in five years.

Mattingly returned to the organization as the hitting coach in 2004, which ended with the Yankees losing to the Red Sox in Game 7 of the ALCS. He later became hitting coach with the Dodgers and was in uniform for successive losses to the Phillies in the NLCS, in 2008 and ’09.

What are his recollections of Beltran?

“I remember the first time I got a chance to see him play: I was a guest coach down in Tampa and he was there with Kansas City,” Mattingly said. “I was just amazed how quick his bat was. I did not realize he has not gotten to the World Series. I just know he’s a talent, for sure, and just a great player.”

If Mattingly is going to beat Beltran to the World Series, the Dodgers will have to handle a Cardinals team that has won consistently all season. It’s a contrast to the Dodgers, who didn’t get hot until mid-June, nearly costing Mattingly his job. But Yasiel Puig, Hanley Ramirez, Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford, among others, have put the Dodgers within a series victory of reaching their first World Series since 1988.

“When you look at look at them at the beginning of the season, there were a lot of people who didn’t think they were going to make it, and look where they are,” Beltran said. “They were able to start bad and win the division. That really shows they have a lot of All-Stars over there.”