There is a long way from here to there, but if Carlos Beltran were able to stay Mets manager from now through the 2023 season he could join a rare class with Yogi Berra and Frank Robinson.

Berra and Robinson are the only Hall of Famers elected as players and enshrined while they were major league managers (Connie Mack, in 1937, went in as part of the second class ever, but for his work as a manager while he was managing).

Berra had been elected in January 1972 along with Sandy Koufax and Early Wynn. On Easter Sunday, Mets manager Gil Hodges died of a heart attack and Berra was named to succeed him a few days later, just before the season began. Berra was enshrined Aug. 7, 1972.

Robinson was elected to the Hall in 1982 along with Hank Aaron. He had just completed his first season as Giants manager. Robinson was enshrined on Aug. 7, 1982.

Both Berra and Robinson left their teams during the season to attend their induction. Robinson went in with an Orioles logo on his cap. Berra has a sideway profile and, thus, no logo on his hat. It is only over the last few decades that which logo a player had on his hat became a huge issue, and the Hall has said that Berra’s plaque was simply an artistic decision and not meant to avoid the discomfort of managing the Mets and going in as a Yankee.

Beltran played for seven teams in his career, but for seven years each with the Royals and Mets, and now being Mets manager will probably tip matters into their favor for what logo to wear should he get into the Hall — assuming there is not a nasty divorce between Beltran and the team.

Beltran becomes eligible on the ballot that will be sent out in winter 2022 for the Class of 2023. He is not a lock for the Hall of Fame, but he is by far the best new candidate expected to be added to the ballot that year; better than, for example, Andre Ethier, John Lackey and Francisco Rodriguez.

Beltran was introduced as the Mets manager on Monday. He received a three-year contract with an option. The option is for 2023.

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