Mookie Betts: Difference between revisions
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{{short description|American baseball player}} |
{{short description|American baseball player (born 1992)}} |
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{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2024}} |
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{{Infobox baseball biography |
{{Distinguish|Muki Betser}}{{Infobox baseball biography |
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|name = Mookie Betts |
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|image = Dodgers at Nationals (53676957188) (cropped).jpg |
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|image_size = 240px |
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|caption = Betts with the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] in 2024 |
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|team = Los Angeles Dodgers |
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|number = 50 |
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|position = [[Right fielder]] / [[Second baseman]] / [[Shortstop]] |
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|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1992|10|7}} |
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|birth_place = [[Nashville, Tennessee]], U.S. |
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|bats = Right |
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|throws = Right |
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|debutleague = MLB |
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|debutdate = June 29 |
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|debutyear = 2014 |
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|debutteam = Boston Red Sox |
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|statyear = August 27, 2024 |
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|statleague = MLB |
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|stat1label = [[Batting average (baseball)|Batting average]] |
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|stat1value = .295 |
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|stat2label = [[Hits (baseball)|Hits]] |
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|stat2value = 1,586 |
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| stat3value = 117 |
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|stat3label = [[Home run]]s |
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| stat4label = [[Run batted in|Runs batted in]] |
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|stat3value = 265 |
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|stat4label = [[Run batted in|Runs batted in]] |
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| stat5label = [[Stolen base]]s |
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|stat4value = 807 |
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|stat5label = [[Stolen base]]s |
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| teams = |
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|stat5value = 183 |
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* [[Boston Red Sox]] ({{mlby|2014}}–present) |
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|teams = |
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*[[Boston Red Sox]] ({{mlby|2014}}–{{mlby|2019}}) |
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* 3× [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] ([[2016 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2016]]–[[2018 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2018]]) |
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*[[Los Angeles Dodgers]] ({{mlby|2020}}–present) |
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* [[World Series]] champion ([[2018 World Series|2018]]) |
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|awards = |
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* [[Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award | AL MVP]] (2018) |
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*8× [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] ([[2016 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2016]]–[[2019 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2019]], [[2021 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2021]]–[[2024 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2024]]) |
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* 2× [[List of Silver Slugger Award winners at outfield|Silver Slugger Award]] (2016, 2018) |
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*2× [[World Series]] champion ([[2018 World Series|2018]], [[2020 World Series|2020]]) |
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* 3× [[Gold Glove Award]] (2016–2018) |
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*[[Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award|AL MVP]] (2018) |
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* Wilson MLB Defensive Player of the Year (2016) |
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*3× [[All-MLB Team|All-MLB First Team]] (2020, 2022, 2023) |
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* [[List of Major League Baseball batting champions|AL batting champion]] (2018) |
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*[[All-MLB Team|All-MLB Second Team]] (2019) |
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*6× [[List of Silver Slugger Award winners at outfield|Silver Slugger Award]] (2016, 2018–2020, 2022, 2023) |
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* [[ Hit for the Cycle]] (2018) |
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*6× [[Gold Glove Award]] (2016–2020, 2022) |
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*6x [[Fielding Bible Award]] (2016–2018, 2020, 2022–2023) |
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*2× [[Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award]] (2016, 2018) |
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*[[List of Major League Baseball batting champions|AL batting champion]] (2018) |
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*3× [[List of Major League Baseball annual runs scored leaders|Runs scored leader]] (2018, 2019, 2022) |
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*[[30–30 club]] (2018) |
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|medaltemplates = |
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{{MedalSport | Men's [[baseball]]}} |
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{{MedalCountry | {{USA}}}} |
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{{MedalCompetition | [[World Baseball Classic]]}} |
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{{MedalSilver| [[2023 World Baseball Classic|2023 Miami]] | [[United States national baseball team|Team]]}} |
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}} |
}} |
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'''Markus Lynn''' "'''Mookie'''" '''Betts''' (born October 7, 1992) is an American [[professional baseball]] [[right fielder]] and [[shortstop]] for the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] of [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the [[Boston Red Sox]]. Betts is an eight-time [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]], a six-time [[List of Silver Slugger Award winners at outfield|Silver Slugger Award]] winner, a six-time [[Gold Glove Award]] recipient, a two-time [[World Series]] champion, and was named the [[Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award|Most Valuable Player]] in the [[American League]] in 2018. He is also second in [[Wins Above Replacement]] (WAR) among active position players, behind [[Mike Trout]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Active Leaders & Records for WAR Position Players |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/WAR_bat_active.shtml |website=baseball-reference.com |access-date=July 10, 2024}}</ref> |
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Betts was [[Major League Baseball draft|drafted]] by the Red Sox in [[2011 Major League Baseball draft|2011]], and made his MLB debut in the 2014 season,<ref name="br">{{Cite web |title=Mookie Betts Statistics and History {{!}} Baseball-Reference.com |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bettsmo01.shtml |access-date=May 16, 2016 |website=Baseball-Reference.com}}</ref> splitting time between [[Second baseman|second base]] and the [[Outfielder|outfield]]. He became the Red Sox [[center fielder]] in 2014, before moving to right field in 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mookie Betts » Statistics » Batting » Fielding {{!}} FanGraphs Baseball |url=http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=13611&position=OF#fielding |access-date=May 16, 2016 |website=www.fangraphs.com}}</ref> As a [[Height in sports|relatively short]] natural [[second baseman]] with a high contact rate and a high level of production when [[Pull hitter|pulling the ball]], Betts has been compared to former Red Sox teammate [[Dustin Pedroia]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mookie Betts Is Dustin Pedroia All Over Again {{!}} FanGraphs Baseball |url=http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/mookie-betts-is-dustin-pedroia-all-over-again/ |access-date=May 16, 2016 |website=www.fangraphs.com|date=April 7, 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Major League Leaderboards » 2015 » Batters » Zone Contact {{!}} FanGraphs Baseball |url=http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=y&type=c,4,6,11,12,13,21,-1,34,35,40,41,-1,23,37,38,50,61,-1,111,-1,203,199,58,106&season=2015&month=0&season1=2015&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sort=22,d&page=1_30 |access-date=May 16, 2016 |website=www.fangraphs.com}}</ref> In 2018, he became the first player in MLB history to win the Most Valuable Player, Silver Slugger, Gold Glove, [[List of Major League Baseball batting champions|batting title]], and [[2018 World Series|World Series]] all in the same season.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 15, 2018 |title=Mookie Betts Makes History By Winning 2018 AL MVP Award To Cap Remarkable Season |url=https://nesn.com/2018/11/mookie-betts-makes-history-by-winning-2018-al-mvp-award-to-cap-red-sox-season/ |access-date=December 30, 2018 |website=NESN.com |quote=Mookie Betts is the first player to win all of these in the same season: World Series, MVP, Gold Glove, Silver Slugger, batting title.}}</ref> After six seasons with Boston, Betts was traded to the Dodgers in 2020 and later signed a 12-year, $365 million extension with the team through the 2032 season. He won his second [[2020 World Series|World Series]] in his first season with Los Angeles. |
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Outside of baseball, Betts is also a professional [[Ten-pin bowling|ten-pin bowler]] for the [[Professional Bowlers Association]] (PBA). He bowled a [[Perfect game (bowling)|perfect game]] in the [[PBA World Series of Bowling|World Series of Bowling]] in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |title=PBA Member Mookie Betts Is A World Series Champion |url=https://www.flobowling.com/articles/6260693-pba-member-mookie-betts-is-a-world-series-champion |access-date=February 16, 2019 |website=www.flobowling.com |language=en | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190329013742/https://www.flobowling.com/articles/6260693-pba-member-mookie-betts-is-a-world-series-champion | archive-date = March 29, 2019 | last = Wiseman | first = Lucas | date = October 29, 2018}}</ref> |
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Betts was [[Major League Baseball draft|drafted]] by the Red Sox in [[2011 Major League Baseball draft|2011]], and made his MLB debut in the 2014 season,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bettsmo01.shtml|title=Mookie Betts Statistics and History {{!}} Baseball-Reference.com|website=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=May 16, 2016}}</ref> splitting time between [[Second baseman|second base]] and the [[Outfielder|outfield]]. He became the Red Sox [[center fielder]] in 2014, before moving to right field in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=13611&position=OF#fielding|title=Mookie Betts » Statistics » Batting » Fielding {{!}} FanGraphs Baseball|website=www.fangraphs.com|access-date=May 16, 2016}}</ref> As a [[Height in sports|relatively short]] natural [[second baseman]] with a high contact rate and a high level of production when [[Pull hitter|pulling the ball]], Betts has been compared to fellow Red Sox player [[Dustin Pedroia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/mookie-betts-is-dustin-pedroia-all-over-again/|title=Mookie Betts Is Dustin Pedroia All Over Again {{!}} FanGraphs Baseball|website=www.fangraphs.com|access-date=May 16, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=y&type=c,4,6,11,12,13,21,-1,34,35,40,41,-1,23,37,38,50,61,-1,111,-1,203,199,58,106&season=2015&month=0&season1=2015&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sort=22,d&page=1_30|title=Major League Leaderboards » 2015 » Batters » Zone Contact {{!}} FanGraphs Baseball|website=www.fangraphs.com|access-date=May 16, 2016}}</ref> |
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==Early life== |
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Betts is also a professional [[Ten-pin bowling|tenpin bowler]] for the [[Professional Bowlers Association]] (PBA). He bowled a [[Perfect game (bowling)|perfect game]] in the World Series of Bowling.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flobowling.com/articles/6260693-pba-member-mookie-betts-is-a-world-series-champion|title=PBA Member Mookie Betts Is A World Series Champion|website=www.flobowling.com|language=en|access-date=2019-02-16}}</ref> |
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Betts' parents chose his name in part to form the initials MLB, matching those of Major League Baseball.<ref name="autogenerated2" /> He has attributed his nickname Mookie to his parents watching former [[National Basketball Association|NBA]] guard [[Mookie Blaylock]] play basketball shortly after Betts was born. Betts has stated that he has never met Blaylock.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 16, 2013 |title=10 Questions with Sox prospect Mookie Betts |url=http://www.csnne.com/blog/red-sox-talk/10-questions-sox-prospect-mookie-betts |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140910074402/http://www.csnne.com/blog/red-sox-talk/10-questions-sox-prospect-mookie-betts |archive-date=September 10, 2014 |access-date=April 30, 2014 |website=Comcast Sportsnet}}</ref> When [[Little League Baseball]] coaches refused to accept Betts because of his small size, his mother started her own team so that her son could play.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/mookie-betts-mother-started-his-baseball-journey|title=If not for his mom, Mookie might not be playing baseball|first=Juan|last=Toribio|work=MLB.com|date=May 13, 2023|accessdate=June 3, 2024}}</ref> |
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In 2010, Betts' junior year at [[John Overton High School]] in Nashville, Betts batted .548 with 24 steals. In November of that year, Betts signed a letter of commitment to attend the [[University of Tennessee]] on a baseball scholarship, also getting recruited by [[Vanderbilt University]], [[Mississippi State University]], and the [[University of Alabama at Birmingham]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cirillo |first=Chip |date=November 11, 2010 |title=Overton's Mookie Betts to sign with UT in baseball |url=http://www.tennessean.com/story/highschoolsports/2010/11/12/mookie-betts-to-sign-with-ut-in-baseball/5426459/ |access-date=April 30, 2014 |website=The Tennessean}}</ref> |
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==High school career== |
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At Overton, Betts was also a standout basketball player, named MVP of the District 12-AAA league his senior season while averaging 14.1 points, nine assists, four rebounds, and three steals per game;<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cirillo |first=Chip |date=February 23, 2011 |title=Overton's Mookie Betts named 12-AAA MVP |url=http://www.tennessean.com/story/highschoolsports/2011/02/23/mookie-betts-named-all-district-12-aaa-mvp/5426609/ |access-date=April 30, 2014 |website=The Tennessean}}</ref> and also named Class AAA All-City Player of the Year for the [[Nashville, Tennessee]], metropolitan area.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Patton |first=Maurice |date=April 19, 2011 |title=Top Metro hoops coaches, players honored |url=http://blogs.tennessean.com/high-school-sports/2011/04/19/top-metro-hoops-coaches-players-honored/ |access-date=June 30, 2014 |website=The Tennessean}}</ref> His junior year, Betts was named MVP of the District 12-AAA tournament.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cirillo |first=Chip |date=February 24, 2010 |title=Bobcats do it by committee in 68–64 win over Warriors |url=http://www.tennessean.com/story/highschoolsports/2010/02/24/bobcats-do-it-by-committee-in-win-over-warriors/5425613/ |access-date=April 30, 2014 |website=The Tennessean}}</ref> Betts also excelled in bowling, named the Tennessee Boys Bowler of the Year in 2010 with a high score of 290. He grew up bowling at the Donelson Strike and Spare in [[Donelson, Tennessee]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Langone |first=Matt |date=June 18, 2012 |title=Mookie bets on baseball – and Spinners hope it pays off |url=http://www.lowellsun.com/sports/ci_20881642/mookie-bets-baseball-and-spinners-hope-it-pays#ixzz30NRL5400 |access-date=April 30, 2014 |website=The Lowell Sun}}</ref> |
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In 2010, his junior year at Overton, Betts batted .548 with 24 steals. In November that year, Betts signed a letter of commitment to attend the [[University of Tennessee]] on a baseball scholarship, also getting recruited by [[Vanderbilt University]], [[Mississippi State University]] and the [[University of Alabama at Birmingham]].<ref>{{cite web|author=CST |url=http://www.tennessean.com/story/highschoolsports/2010/11/12/mookie-betts-to-sign-with-ut-in-baseball/5426459/ |title=Overton's Mookie Betts to sign with UT in baseball|work=The Tennessean |date=November 11, 2010 |accessdate=April 30, 2014}}</ref> |
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At Overton, Betts was also a standout basketball player, named MVP of the District 12-AAA league his senior season while averaging 14.1 points, 9 assists, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals per game;<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.tennessean.com/story/highschoolsports/2011/02/23/mookie-betts-named-all-district-12-aaa-mvp/5426609/ |title=Overton's Mookie Betts named 12-AAA MVP|work=The Tennessean|date=February 23, 2011|accessdate=April 30, 2014 }}</ref> and also named Class AAA All-City Player of the Year for the [[Nashville, Tennessee]] metropolitan area.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Patton|first1=Maurice|title=Top Metro hoops coaches, players honored|url=http://blogs.tennessean.com/high-school-sports/2011/04/19/top-metro-hoops-coaches-players-honored/|accessdate=June 30, 2014|work=The Tennessean|date=April 19, 2011}}</ref> His junior year, Betts was named MVP of the District 12-AAA tournament.<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.tennessean.com/story/highschoolsports/2010/02/24/bobcats-do-it-by-committee-in-win-over-warriors/5425613/ |title=Bobcats do it by committee in 68-64 win over Warriors|work=The Tennessean|date=February 24, 2010 |accessdate=April 30, 2014}}</ref> Betts also excelled in bowling, named the Tennessee boys Bowler of the Year in 2010 with a high score of 290. He grew up bowling at the Donelson Strike and Spare in Donelson, TN.<ref>{{cite web|last=Langone |first=Matt |url=http://www.lowellsun.com/sports/ci_20881642/mookie-bets-baseball-and-spinners-hope-it-pays#ixzz30NRL5400 |title=Mookie bets on baseball - and Spinners hope it pays offwork=The Lowell Sun|date=June 18, 2012 |accessdate=April 30, 2014}}</ref> |
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==Professional career== |
==Professional career== |
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===Draft and minor leagues=== |
===Draft and minor leagues=== |
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The Boston Red Sox selected Betts in the |
The Boston Red Sox selected Betts in the fifth round of the [[2011 Major League Baseball draft]] with the 172nd overall pick as a second baseman.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Normandin |first=Marc |date=June 7, 2011 |title=MLB 2011 Draft: Markus Betts Selected at #172 by Boston Red Sox |url=https://www.overthemonster.com/2011/6/7/2211743/mlb-2011-draft-markus-betts-selected-at-172-by-boston-red-sox |access-date=August 12, 2023 |website=Over the Monster |language=en}}</ref> After protracted negotiations,<ref name="autogenerated2">{{Cite web |last=Benbow |first=Julian |date=June 6, 2014 |title=Mookie Betts is rising fast in Red Sox system |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2014/06/05/red-sox-prospect-mookie-betts-calmly-succeeds-every-level/Dznk0U6bjOo1vQFBpXAmQI/story.html |access-date=June 7, 2014 |website=Boston Globe}}</ref> Betts subsequently rescinded his commitment to the University of Tennessee, signing a $750,000 contract with the Red Sox organization.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cirillo |first=Chip |date=June 27, 2012 |title=Mookie Betts starts pro career with Spinners |url=http://www.tennessean.com/story/highschoolsports/2012/06/27/mookie-betts-starts-pro-career-with-spinners/5427939/ |access-date=April 30, 2014 |website=The Tennessean}}</ref> Betts played one game in 2011 for the [[Gulf Coast League Red Sox|GCL Red Sox]] of the rookie [[Gulf Coast League]], getting two hits in four at bats.<ref name="SoxProspects">{{Cite web |title=Mookie Betts |url=http://www.soxprospects.com/players/betts-mookie.htm |website=SoxProspects.com}}</ref> In 2012, he batted .267 and stole 20 bases in 71 games for the short season [[Lowell Spinners]] of the [[New York–Penn League]]. He played [[shortstop]] regularly, but looked more comfortable<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mastrodonato |first=Jason |date=September 4, 2014 |title=Mookie Betts unlikely to play third base or shortstop for Boston Red Sox |url=https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2014/09/mookie_betts_unlikely_to_play.html |access-date=April 4, 2020 |website=masslive |language=en}}</ref> at [[second base]].<ref name="autogenerated1">{{Cite web |title=Mookie Betts |url=http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?pos=2B&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=605141 |access-date=April 30, 2014 |publisher=MiLB.com}}</ref> |
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Betts started the 2013 season with the [[Greenville Drive]] of the Low A [[South Atlantic League]]. In 76 games, Betts batted .296<ref name="autogenerated1"/> with a 19-game hitting streak<ref>{{ |
Betts started the 2013 season with the [[Greenville Drive]] of the Low A [[South Atlantic League]]. In 76 games, Betts batted .296,<ref name="autogenerated1" /> with a 19-game hitting streak<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pereira |first=Kevin |date=October 28, 2013 |title=Top 40 Season in Review: Mookie Betts |url=http://news.soxprospects.com/2013/10/top-40-season-in-review-mookie-betts.html |access-date=April 30, 2014 |website=SoxProspects.com}}</ref> and was selected to the South Atlantic League All-Star Game.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 4, 2013 |title="South Atlantic League Announces All-Star Rosters" |url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/south-atlantic-league-announces-all-star-rosters/ |access-date=April 30, 2014 |website=Baseball America}}</ref> |
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On July 9, Betts was promoted to the [[Salem Red Sox]] of the High A [[Carolina League]],<ref>{{ |
On July 9, Betts was promoted to the [[Salem Red Sox]] of the High A [[Carolina League]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dunne |first=James |date=July 9, 2013 |title=Mookie Betts promoted to Salem |url=http://news.soxprospects.com/2013/07/mookie-betts-promoted-to-salem.html |access-date=April 30, 2014 |website=SoxProspects.com}}</ref> batting .341 in 51 games to complete the 2013 season, with a combined .314 average in 127 games between Greenville and Salem, with 15 home runs and 38 steals.<ref name="autogenerated1" /> Betts was named Offensive Player of the Year and Breakout Player of the Year in the Boston minor league system,<ref>{{Cite web |title="Mookie Betts" |url=http://www.soxprospects.com/players/betts-mookie.htm |access-date=April 30, 2014 |website=SoxProspects.com}}</ref> leading all Sox minors players with a .506 slugging percentage, while his .314 batting average ranked him third behind [[Alex Hassan]] (.338) and [[Garin Cecchini]] (.322).<ref name="2013BRSminors">{{Cite web |date=September 6, 2013 |title=Red Sox minor league leaders for 2013 |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/boston/red-sox/post/_/id/30836/red-sox-minor-league-leaders-for-2013 |access-date=July 8, 2023 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref> Betts was a second-team inclusion on the Baseball America Minor League All-Star Team for 2013, with the first-team selection for second base going to [[Marcus Semien]], an infielder for the [[Chicago White Sox]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Buchanan |first=Ben |date=September 12, 2013 |title=Baseball America names three Sox MILB All-Stars |url=https://www.overthemonster.com/2013/9/12/4723184/baseball-america-names-xander-bogaerts-mookie-betts-henry-owens-milb |access-date=August 12, 2023 |website=Over the Monster |language=en}}</ref> Betts subsequently played 16 games for the [[Surprise Saguaros]] of the [[Arizona Fall League]], batting .271.<ref name=SoxProspects/> |
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[[File:Mookie Betts on July 20, 2014.jpg |
[[File:Mookie Betts on July 20, 2014.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|Betts playing for the [[Pawtucket Red Sox]] in 2014]] |
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Betts opened the 2014 season with the [[Portland Sea Dogs]] of the Double-A [[Eastern League ( |
Betts opened the 2014 season with the [[Portland Sea Dogs]] of the Double-A [[Eastern League (1938–2020)|Eastern League]],<ref name="autogenerated1" /> batting .355 in 54 games to lead the Eastern League through June 2. On June 3, Betts was promoted to the Pawtucket Red Sox of the Triple-A [[International League]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Silva |first=Steve |date=June 3, 2014 |title=Report: Hot Prospect Mookie Betts to Get Call-up to PawSox |url=https://www.boston.com/sports/extra-bases/2014/06/03/report_hot_prospect_mookie_betts_to_get_call-up_to/#:~:text=According%20to%20a%20report%20on,355%2F. |access-date=June 3, 2014 |website=Boston.com}}</ref> batting .322 and reaching base in all 23 games with the PawSox.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Individual Stats (Batting) |url=http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=t_ibp&cid=533&stn=true&sid=t533 |access-date=June 18, 2014 |publisher=Milb.com}}</ref> |
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In 2013 and 2014, Betts reached base in 66 straight regular-season games plus five playoff games for a combined streak of 71 games. Because official baseball streak records do not include playoff games, Betts' |
In 2013 and 2014, Betts reached base in 66 straight regular-season games plus five playoff games for a combined streak of 71 games.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Doyle |first=Ricky |date=May 18, 2014 |title=Mookie Betts Falls Short Of History; Red Sox Prospect's Streak Snapped |url=https://nesn.com/2014/05/mookie-betts-falls-short-of-history-red-sox-prospects-streak-snapped/ |access-date=August 12, 2023 |website=NESN.com |language=en-US}}</ref> Because official baseball streak records do not include playoff games, Betts' streak has been listed at 66 games; [[Kevin Millar]] and [[Kevin Youkilis]] hold the official minor league record for consecutive games reaching base, at 71 games, with Minor League Baseball lacking data on the statistic before 1997.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Kevin |date=May 18, 2014 |title=On Baseball: Mookie Betts's on-base streak ends |url=http://www.pressherald.com/sports/Betts__on-base_streak_ends_.html?pagenum=full |access-date=May 29, 2014 |website=Portland Press Herald}}</ref> |
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Since mid-May 2014, Betts has played outfield in addition to second base.<ref>{{ |
Since mid-May 2014, Betts has played outfield in addition to second base.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 18, 2014 |title=Mookie Betts starting in CF for Portland |url=http://www.providencejournal.com/sports/red-sox/content/20140518-mookie-betts-starting-in-cf-for-portland.ece |access-date=May 19, 2014 |website=Providence Journal}}</ref> In 2013, four-time All-Star second baseman [[Dustin Pedroia]] signed an eight-year, $110 million contract extension with the Red Sox, leading to speculation that the Red Sox would groom Betts for a new position.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tomase |first=John |date=May 11, 2014 |title=Mookie Betts Streaks Through the Red Sox System |url=http://bostonherald.com/sports/red_sox_mlb/boston_red_sox/2014/05/mookie_betts_streaks_through_red_sox_system |access-date=May 12, 2014 |website=Boston Herald}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Abraham |first=Peter |date=November 18, 2013 |title=Dustin Pedroia second to none as face of Red Sox |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2013/11/18/dustin-pedroia-second-none-face-red-sox/B0BPhI6CrVclYkIoIsRX3O/story.html |access-date=April 30, 2014 |website=Boston Globe}}</ref> |
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===Boston Red Sox=== |
===Boston Red Sox (2014–2019)=== |
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====2014==== |
====2014 season: Rookie season==== |
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Betts was promoted to the Red Sox on June 28, 2014.<ref>{{ |
Betts was promoted to the Red Sox on June 28, 2014.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 28, 2014 |title=Red Sox promote OF Betts, send down RHP De La Rosa |work=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=mlb&id=11150277 |access-date=June 29, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Browne |first=Ian |date=June 28, 2014 |title=Phenom Betts called up to Red Sox |work=MLB.com |url=http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/article/bos/phenom-mookie-betts-called-up-to-red-sox?ymd=20140628&content_id=82066042&vkey=news_bos |access-date=June 29, 2014}}</ref> He had previously been selected for the [[All-Star Futures Game]], but was replaced following his promotion to the Major Leagues.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cox |first=Zack |date=June 24, 2014 |title=Red Sox Prospects Mookie Betts, Henry Owens Selected To Futures Game |url=https://nesn.com/2014/06/red-sox-prospects-mookie-betts-henry-owens-selected-to-futures-game/ |access-date=August 5, 2021 |website=NESN.com |language=en-US}}</ref> |
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Betts made his debut on June 29, recording his first major league career hit against [[New York Yankees|Yankees]] starter [[Chase Whitley]] in the fourth inning.<ref>{{ |
Betts made his debut on June 29, recording his first major league career hit against [[New York Yankees|Yankees]] starter [[Chase Whitley]] in the fourth inning.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Edes |first=Gordon |author-link=Gordon Edes |date=June 30, 2014 |title=Betts hits big time on biggest stage |work=ESPN.com |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/boston/red-sox/post/_/id/38348/betts-enters-big-time-on-biggest-stage |access-date=July 1, 2014}}</ref> He hit his first home run on July 2 off the [[Chicago Cubs|Cubs]]' [[Carlos Villanueva (baseball)|Carlos Villanueva]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Browne |first=Ian |date=July 3, 2014 |title=Offense erupts, but Workman, bullpen falter in loss |work=MLB.com |url=http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2014_07_02_chnmlb_bosmlb_1&mode=recap&c_id=bos#gid=2014_07_02_chnmlb_bosmlb_1&mode=recap&c_id=bos |access-date=July 3, 2014}}</ref> He then was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket on July 19 when [[Shane Victorino]] was activated from the [[disabled list]],<ref>[http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/mlb/red-sox-activate-shane-victorino-option-mookie-betts?ymd=20140719&content_id=85269694&vkey=news_mlb Victorino comes off DL looking to spark Sox]{{Dead link|date=December 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} MLB.com. Retrieved July 20, 2014.</ref> and was recalled to Boston on August 1. Betts was optioned back to Pawtucket in August and recalled again on August 18.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 18, 2014 |title=Bradley Jr. sent to Pawtucket, Betts called up |url=http://www.csnne.com/boston-red-sox/bradley-jr-sent-pawtucket-betts-called |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141105134232/http://www.csnne.com/boston-red-sox/bradley-jr-sent-pawtucket-betts-called |archive-date=November 5, 2014 |website=Comcast Sportsnet}}</ref> |
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On August 29, Betts hit his first career [[grand slam (baseball)|grand slam]] against [[Tampa Bay Rays|Rays]] pitcher [[Chris Archer]] in a Red Sox victory at [[Tropicana Field]].<ref>{{ |
On August 29, Betts hit his first career [[grand slam (baseball)|grand slam]] against [[Tampa Bay Rays|Rays]] pitcher [[Chris Archer]] in a Red Sox victory at [[Tropicana Field]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Galanis |first=Sam |date=August 29, 2014 |title=– Mookie Betts hits first career Grand Slam at Tropicana Field (Video) |url=http://nesn.com/2014/08/mookie-betts-hits-first-career-grand-slam-at-tropicana-field-video/ |access-date=December 29, 2017 |website=NESN.com}}</ref> At age 21, Betts became the youngest Sox player to hit a grand slam in 49 years.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 29, 2014 |title=Red Sox Notes: Mookie Betts, Anthony Ranaudo Shine In Win Over Rays |url=http://nesn.com/2014/08/red-sox-notes-mookie-betts-anthony-ranaudo-shine-in-win-over-rays/ |access-date=October 15, 2014 |website=NESN.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=August 24, 1965 |title=Retrosheet box score – Boston Red Sox 9, Washington Senators 4 (1). Game Played on Tuesday, August 24, 1965 (N) at Fenway Park |url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1965/B08241BOS1965.htm |access-date=December 29, 2017 |website=Retrosheet.org}}</ref> Betts spent most of the 2014 season playing in the outfield, but on September 11, manager [[John Farrell (manager)|John Farrell]] announced that Betts would play second base "fairly regularly" following injuries to regular second basemen [[Dustin Pedroia]] and [[Brock Holt]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Doyle |first=Ricky |date=September 11, 2014 |title=Mookie Betts To Play Second Base For Red Sox With Dustin Pedroia Out |url=http://nesn.com/2014/09/mookie-betts-to-play-second-base-for-red-sox-with-dustin-pedroia-out/ |access-date=September 14, 2014 |website=[[NECN]]}}</ref> |
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Betts split the 2014 season fairly evenly between [[Portland Sea Dogs|AA]], [[Pawtucket Red Sox|AAA]] and MLB, playing 52 major league games.<ref>{{ |
Betts split the 2014 season fairly evenly between [[Portland Sea Dogs|AA]], [[Pawtucket Red Sox|AAA]] and MLB, playing 52 major league games.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mookie Betts |url=http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=13611&position=2B/OF |access-date=October 15, 2014 |website=Fangraphs.com}}</ref> He performed well for the Red Sox, hitting [[batting average (baseball)|.291]] with five home runs; and played over half his innings in [[Center fielder|center field]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mookie Betts; Fielding |url=http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=13611&position=2B/OF#fielding |access-date=October 15, 2014 |website=Fangraphs.com}}</ref> |
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====2015==== |
====2015 season: Shift to right field==== |
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[[File:Mookie Betts makes a spectacular play, robs Nats of a homer (23327352881).jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|Betts makes a jumping catch to deprive [[Bryce Harper]] (off-field) of a home run on April 13, 2015.]] |
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On April 6, 2015, [[Opening Day]] for the Boston Red Sox against the Philadelphia Phillies, he hit a home run in his second at bat, becoming the third youngest player to hit a home run on Opening Day for the Red Sox.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://genius.com/8948145|title=Home Runs of April 6, 2015|date=April 6, 2016|accessdate=April 6, 2016|publisher=MLB Home Runs of the Day|last=Ezzo|first=Romi}}</ref> On April 13, 2015, in the home opener at Fenway Park against the Washington Nationals, Betts arguably had the most exciting performance of his career. He robbed [[Bryce Harper]] of a home run, stole two bases on one play and hit a home run into the Monster seats, all in the first three innings.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Snyder|first1=Matt|title=Mookie Betts robs homer before hitting one of his own|url=http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/watch-mookie-betts-robs-homer-before-hitting-one-of-his-own/|website=cbssports.com|accessdate=September 20, 2016|date=April 13, 2015}}</ref> |
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On April 6, 2015, [[Opening Day]] for the Boston Red Sox against the Philadelphia Phillies, he hit a home run in his second at-bat, becoming the third youngest player to hit a home run on Opening Day for the Red Sox.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ezzo |first=Romi |date=April 6, 2016 |title=Home Runs of April 6, 2015 |url=https://genius.com/8948145 |access-date=April 6, 2016 |publisher=MLB Home Runs of the Day}}</ref> On April 13, 2015, in the home opener at Fenway Park against the Washington Nationals, Betts arguably had the most exciting performance of his career. He robbed [[Bryce Harper]] of a home run, stole two bases on one play, and hit a home run into the Monster seats, all in the first three innings.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Snyder |first=Matt |date=April 13, 2015 |title=Mookie Betts robs homer before hitting one of his own |url=http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/watch-mookie-betts-robs-homer-before-hitting-one-of-his-own/ |access-date=September 20, 2016 |website=cbssports.com}}</ref> |
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Betts was named the AL Player of the Week for the week ending on June 21, 2015. Within that week, Betts batted .581 (18 |
Betts was named the AL Player of the Week for the week ending on June 21, 2015. Within that week, Betts batted .581 (18-for-31) with two home runs, two triples, three doubles, seven RBI and eight runs. He led the AL in batting average, hits, on-base percentage (.594), total bases (31), and slugging percentage (1.000) that week.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Toscano |first=Jimmy |date=June 22, 2015 |title=Betts named AL Player of the Week |url=http://www.csnne.com/boston-red-sox/betts-named-al-player-week |access-date=June 22, 2015 |publisher=Comcast Sportsnet}}</ref> In the latter part of the season, he spent some time in right field, leading to speculation that he would move there permanently, to allow teammate [[Jackie Bradley Jr.]] to take over in center field.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Benbow |first=Julian |date=September 11, 2015 |title=Red Sox' young outfield trio becoming a nice fit |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2015/09/10/red-sox-young-outfield-trio-becoming-nice-fit/5qKF3teCIK8FkHobmnir8H/story.html?event=event12 |access-date=December 29, 2017 |website=BostonGlobe.com}}</ref> Betts ended the 2015 season with a .291 batting average, with 92 runs scored, 77 RBIs, 18 home runs and 21 stolen bases.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mookie Betts |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/9552/ |access-date=December 29, 2017 |website=Yahoo! Sports}}</ref> |
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====2016==== |
====2016 season: First All-Star appearance==== |
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[[File:Mookie Betts on May 31, 2016.jpg|thumb|Betts prior to a game at [[Camden Yards]] in May 2016 |
[[File:Mookie Betts on May 31, 2016.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.7|Betts prior to a game at [[Camden Yards]] in May 2016]] |
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Betts was selected to the [[2016 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2016 MLB All-Star Game]], the first of his career.<ref>{{ |
Betts was selected to the [[2016 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2016 MLB All-Star Game]], the first of his career.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Castrovince |first=Anthony |date=July 7, 2016 |title=2016 MLB All-Star Game rosters announced |url=http://m.mlb.com/news/article/188071682/2016-mlb-all-star-game-rosters-announced/ |access-date=September 25, 2016 |website=mlb.com |archive-date=July 12, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170712024805/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/188071682/2016-mlb-all-star-game-rosters-announced/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> He started in right field and was 1-for-2 with a single, and a RBI.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 12, 2016 |title=2016 MLB All-Star Game Box Score |url=http://m.mlb.com/gameday/nl-all-stars-vs-al-all-stars/2016/07/12/448202?partnerId=LR_box#game_tab=box,game=448202,game_state=final |access-date=December 29, 2017 |website=[[MLB.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=July 12, 2016 |title=American League 4, National League |url=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2016/B07120ALS2016.htm |access-date=July 14, 2018 |website=[[Retrosheet]]}}</ref> Betts was named the [[Major League Baseball Player of the Month Award|AL Player of the Month]] for July, when he batted .368 (35-for-95) with five home runs, 15 RBIs, five stolen bases and a 1.068 OPS in 23 games.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kruth |first=Cash |date=August 3, 2016 |title=Mookie Betts wins AL Player of the Month for July |url=http://m.mlb.com/news/article/193388068/mookie-betts-wins-al-player-of-month-for-july/ |access-date=September 25, 2016 |website=mlb.com |archive-date=September 27, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927063450/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/193388068/mookie-betts-wins-al-player-of-month-for-july/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> On September 20, Betts became the first player to reach 200 hits during the [[2016 Major League Baseball season|2016 MLB season]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Browne |first=Ian |date=September 21, 2016 |title=Betts joins elite company with 200th hit |url=http://m.mlb.com/news/article/202361684/red-sox-outfielder-mookie-betts-gets-200th-hit/ |access-date=September 25, 2016 |website=mlb.com |archive-date=September 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924203742/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/202361684/red-sox-outfielder-mookie-betts-gets-200th-hit/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 158 games played, Betts finished the season with a .318 batting average, 214 hits, 122 runs scored, 42 doubles, 31 home runs, 113 RBI, and an MLB-leading 359 total bases. His 67 multi-hit games also led MLB.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Batting Game Finder: For 2016, (requiring H>=2), sorted by greatest number of games in a single season matching the selected criteria |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/tiny/7XgV0 |access-date=August 12, 2018 |website=Baseball Reference}}</ref> He also was 2nd in the league in [[power-speed number]] (28.3).<ref>{{Cite web |title=2016 American League Batting Leaders |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/2016-batting-leaders.shtml |website=Baseball-Reference.com}}</ref> |
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With the Red Sox finishing the season 93–69, the team clinched the [[AL East]] Division, but succumbed to a |
With the Red Sox finishing the season 93–69, the team clinched the [[AL East]] Division, but succumbed to a three-game sweep by the [[Cleveland Indians]] in the [[2016 ALDS]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=2016 AL Division Series - Cleveland Indians over Boston Red Sox (3-0) |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/2016_ALDS2.shtml |access-date=August 12, 2023 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> [[Wilson Sporting Goods]] named Betts it's [[Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award|Defensive Player of the Year]] at right field and best overall among all major league fielders.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Miller |first=Doug |date=November 11, 2016 |title=Best Betts: Sox OF, Giants earn top defender honors: Boston star named Defensive Player of the Year; Giants win club honor |work=MLB.com |url=http://m.mlb.com/news/article/208655822/defensive-player-of-the-year-awards-announced/ |access-date=November 11, 2016}}</ref> After the season, Betts was named a finalist for the American League MVP Award, alongside [[Mike Trout]] and [[José Altuve]]. He finished as the runner-up to Trout.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 17, 2016 |title=Mike Trout Wins AL MVP Award; Betts Finishes Second - CBS Boston |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/mike-trout-wins-al-mvp-award/ |access-date=February 14, 2024 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref> |
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In November, Betts underwent right knee surgery.<ref>{{ |
In November, Betts underwent right knee surgery.<ref>{{Cite web |last=David |first=Adler |date=November 11, 2016 |title=Betts has knee surgery, likely ready for camp |url=http://m.mlb.com/news/article/208643520/mookie-betts-undergoes-successful-surgery/ |access-date=December 27, 2016 |website=MLB.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=December 12, 2016 |title=MLB Injuries |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/mlb/injuries/ |access-date=December 27, 2016 |website=MLB.com}}</ref> |
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====2017==== |
====2017 season: Second All-Star appearance==== |
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From September 12, 2016, through to April 19, 2017, Betts maintained a streak of 129 consecutive plate appearances without a strikeout. The streak ended when [[Francisco Liriano]] of the Toronto Blue Jays struck him out.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Browne |first=Ian |date=April 19, 217 |title=Betts's long streak without a strikeout ends |url=http://m.mlb.com/news/article/225323220/red-sox-mookie-betts-strikes-out-ends-streak/ |access-date=April 19, 2017 |website=MLB.com |archive-date=April 20, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170420101400/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/225323220/red-sox-mookie-betts-strikes-out-ends-streak/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In a regular season game at [[Toronto Blue Jays|Toronto]], he tied an MLB record when he recorded eight RBIs from the leadoff slot in a 15–1 rout of the Blue Jays on July 2, 2017. He was granted his second [[American League]] [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star Game]] selection on the same day.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 2, 2017 |title=Mookie Betts ties MLB record with 8 RBIs in Red Sox rout of Blue Jays Sunday |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/19792483/mookie-betts-ties-mlb-record-8-rbis-red-sox-rout-blue-jays-sunday |access-date=December 29, 2017 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> Originally chosen as a reserve, it was announced on July 3 that Betts will start in place of [[Mike Trout]], who was out due to surgery on his thumb.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Perry |first=Dayn |date=July 3, 2017 |title=MLB All-Star Game 2017: Mookie Betts to replace injured Mike Trout as AL starter |url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/mlb-all-star-game-2017-mookie-betts-to-replace-injured-mike-trout-as-al-starter/ |access-date=August 5, 2021 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}}</ref> |
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[[File:Mookie Betts hitting the ball (36478781664).jpg|thumb|left|Betts batting in September 2017]] |
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From September 12, 2016 through to April 19, 2017, Betts maintained a streak of 129 consecutive plate appearances without a strikeout. The streak ended when [[Francisco Liriano]] of the Toronto Blue Jays struck him out.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Browne|first1=Ian|title=Betts' long streak without a strikeout ends|url=http://m.mlb.com/news/article/225323220/red-sox-mookie-betts-strikes-out-ends-streak/|publisher=MLB|accessdate=April 19, 2017}}</ref> In a regular season game at [[Toronto Blue Jays|Toronto]], he tied an [[MLB]] record when he recorded 8 RBIs from the leadoff slot in a 15–1 rout of the Blue Jays on July 2, 2017. He was granted his second [[American League]] [[Mlb all-star game|All-Star Game]] selection on the same day.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/19792483/mookie-betts-ties-mlb-record-8-rbis-red-sox-rout-blue-jays-sunday |title=Mookie Betts ties MLB record with 8 RBIs in Red Sox rout of Blue Jays Sunday |publisher=Espn.com |date=July 2, 2017 |accessdate=December 29, 2017}}</ref> Originally chosen as a reserve, on July 3 Betts was announced as the starter in place of [[Mike Trout]] who was out due to surgery on his thumb. |
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Betts ended the season with a .264 batting average, 101 runs scored, 26 stolen bases, 24 home runs and 102 RBIs.<ref>{{ |
Betts ended the season with a .264 batting average, 101 runs scored, 26 stolen bases, 24 home runs and 102 RBIs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mookie Betts |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bettsmo01.shtml |access-date=October 17, 2017 |website=Baseball Reference}}</ref> Betts led the Red Sox in each of those categories except batting average, as he batted just .236 from the All-Star break through September 4. Despite his solid stats on the season, Betts was criticized for his inability to turn balls in play into hits. His [[batting average on balls in play]] fell 54 points from its 2016 level to .268.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Collins |first=Matt |date=October 16, 2017 |title=2017 Red Sox Review: Mookie Betts |url=https://www.overthemonster.com/2017/10/16/16479388/2017-red-sox-mookie-betts |access-date=October 17, 2017 |website=SB Nation}}</ref> He also was 3rd in the league in [[power-speed number]] (25.0).<ref>{{Cite web |title=2017 American League Batting Leaders |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/2017-batting-leaders.shtml |access-date=August 5, 2021 |website=Baseball-Reference.com}}</ref> He won his second consecutive Golden Glove Award this season. |
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====2018 season: AL MVP and First World Series championship==== |
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[[File:Mookie Betts running 2018.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|Betts with the Red Sox in August 2018]] |
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On April 17, 2018, [[Nick Cafardo]] of ''[[The Boston Globe]]'' published a column titled, "Mookie Betts or Mike Trout: Who gets the nod?"<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/redsox/2018/04/17/mookie-betts-mike-trout-who-gets-nod/zstyKLTtsyjUpGwCk2FefI/story.html|title=Mookie Betts or Mike Trout: Who gets the nod?|work=BostonGlobe.com|access-date=May 2, 2018}}</ref> in which he compared Betts to [[Mike Trout]], a two-time MVP widely considered the best player in baseball.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/can-any-player-equal-mike-trouts-greatness/c-265631932|title=Can any player equal Mike Trout's greatness|website=MLB.com|language=en|access-date=May 2, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/81403/what-makes-mike-trout-baseballs-most-perfect-player|title=What makes Mike Trout baseball's most perfect player|work=ESPN.com|access-date=May 2, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2018/02/15/top-100-players-top-10-mike-trout-jose-altuve|title=The Top 10 MLB Players of 2018|work=SI.com|access-date=May 2, 2018|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/news/sn50-best-mlb-players-mike-trout-fantasy-stats-hall-of-fame/8ckmevzrsojb1wk6bzeqlk0my|title=SN50: Mike Trout remains the best player in baseball — period|date=October 4, 2017|work=Sporting News|access-date=May 2, 2018}}</ref> Of the 10 professional evaluators Cafardo asked, seven chose Trout and three chose Betts.<ref name=":0" /> "To be in the same conversation as a great player like that is an honor," Betts said.<ref name=":0" /> That same night, Betts hit three home runs to lead the Red Sox to a 10–1 win over Trout's [[Los Angeles Angels]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/redsox/2018/04/18/mookie-betts-hits-hrs-sox-blast-ohtani-angels/XQ2SoaaBFd7ZPehdyn3ScI/story.html|title=Mookie Betts hits three home runs as Red Sox blast Shohei Ohtani, Angels|work=BostonGlobe.com|access-date=May 2, 2018}}</ref> It was the third three-homer game of his career, tying him with [[Ted Williams]] for the most in Red Sox history.<ref name=":1" /> Betts broke the tie with Williams and set the franchise record on May 2, hitting three home runs in a 5–4 win over the [[Kansas City Royals]].<ref name=back3/> He became the first player in MLB history to produce four three-homer games before the age of 26.<ref name=back3>{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/23383790/mookie-betts-returns-lineup-boston-red-sox|title=Back, back, back: Betts returns with 3 HRs|work=ESPN.com|access-date=May 2, 2018}}</ref> |
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On April 17, 2018, [[Nick Cafardo]] of ''[[The Boston Globe]]'' published a column titled, "Mookie Betts or Mike Trout: Who gets the nod?"<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Cafardo |first=Nick |date=April 17, 2018 |title=Mookie Betts or Mike Trout: Who gets the nod? |work=BostonGlobe.com |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/redsox/2018/04/17/mookie-betts-mike-trout-who-gets-nod/zstyKLTtsyjUpGwCk2FefI/story.html |access-date=May 2, 2018}}</ref> in which he compared Betts to [[Mike Trout]], a then-two-time MVP widely considered the best player in baseball.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Simon |first=Andrew |date=January 31, 2018 |title=Can any player equal Mike Trout's greatness |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/can-any-player-equal-mike-trouts-greatness/c-265631932 |access-date=May 2, 2018 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Simon |first=Mark |date=August 23, 2017 |title=What makes Mike Trout baseball's most perfect player |work=ESPN.com |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/81403/what-makes-mike-trout-baseballs-most-perfect-player |access-date=May 2, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=February 15, 2018 |title=The Top 10 MLB Players of 2018 |language=en |work=SI.com |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2018/02/15/top-100-players-top-10-mike-trout-jose-altuve |access-date=May 2, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Fagan |first=Ryan |date=October 4, 2017 |title=SN50: Mike Trout remains the best player in baseball — period |work=Sporting News |url=http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/news/sn50-best-mlb-players-mike-trout-fantasy-stats-hall-of-fame/8ckmevzrsojb1wk6bzeqlk0my |access-date=May 2, 2018}}</ref> Of the 10 professional evaluators Cafardo asked, seven chose Trout and three chose Betts.<ref name=":0" /> "To be in the same conversation as a great player like that is an honor," Betts said.<ref name=":0" /> That same night, Betts hit three home runs to lead the Red Sox to a 10–1 win over Trout's [[Los Angeles Angels]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Abraham |first=Peter |date=April 18, 2018 |title=Mookie Betts hits three home runs as Red Sox blast Shohei Ohtani, Angels |work=BostonGlobe.com |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/redsox/2018/04/18/mookie-betts-hits-hrs-sox-blast-ohtani-angels/XQ2SoaaBFd7ZPehdyn3ScI/story.html |access-date=May 2, 2018}}</ref> It was the third three-homer game of his career, tying him with [[Ted Williams]] for the most in Red Sox history.<ref name=":1" /> Betts broke the tie with Williams and set the franchise record on May 2, hitting three home runs in a 5–4 win over the [[Kansas City Royals]].<ref name=back3/> He became the first player in MLB history to produce four three-homer games before the age of 26.<ref name="back3">{{Cite news |date=May 2, 2018 |title=Back, back, back: Betts returns with 3 HRs |work=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/23383790/mookie-betts-returns-lineup-boston-red-sox |access-date=May 2, 2018}}</ref> |
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By May 21, Betts had amassed a major league-leading 15 home runs. He led MLB in batting average, slugging percentage, [[On-base plus slugging|OPS]], total bases, extra-base hits, doubles, runs scored, runs created, and OPS+. He led Boston with 11 stolen bases, good for third in MLB. His 3.8 [[Wins Above Replacement|WAR]] (as calculated by [[Baseball-Reference.com]]) was second only to Trout in the majors. His offensive success was a major factor in the Red Sox’ 32–15 start. On June 1, Betts was placed on the 10-day [[disabled list]], retroactive to May 29, with a left abdominal strain; he returned to the active roster on June 11.<ref>{{ |
By May 21, Betts had amassed a major league-leading 15 home runs. He led MLB in batting average, slugging percentage, [[On-base plus slugging|OPS]], total bases, extra-base hits, doubles, runs scored, runs created, and OPS+. He led Boston with 11 stolen bases, good for third in MLB. His 3.8 [[Wins Above Replacement|WAR]] (as calculated by [[Baseball-Reference.com]]) at that point was second only to Trout in the majors. His offensive success was a major factor in the Red Sox’ 32–15 start. On June 1, Betts was placed on the 10-day [[disabled list]], retroactive to May 29, with a left abdominal strain; he returned to the active roster on June 11.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 2018 |title=Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions |url=http://m.redsox.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2018/06 |access-date=June 11, 2018 |website=[[MLB.com]] |archive-date=February 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200206033456/http://m.redsox.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2018/06 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On July 6, Betts hit his 22nd home run of the season, the 100th of his MLB career.<ref name=HR100/> He became the fourth Red Sox player to hit 100 home runs before turning 26, the others being [[Tony Conigliaro]], [[Jim Rice]], and [[Ted Williams]].<ref name="HR100">{{Cite news |last=Falkoff |first=Robert |date=July 6, 2018 |title=Betts's 100th HR starts Red Sox's power surge |work=[[MLB.com]] |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/mookie-betts-launches-100th-career-homer/c-284542898 |access-date=July 6, 2018}}</ref> On July 8, while batting .343 with 22 home runs and 44 RBIs,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kolur |first=Nihal |date=July 8, 2018 |title=2018 MLB All-Star Rosters: Bryce Harper, Mookie Betts lead team |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2018/07/08/mlb-all-star-rosters-complete-names-teams |access-date=October 7, 2019 |publisher=SI.com}}</ref> Betts was named to the [[2018 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2018 MLB All-Star Game]] as an American League starting outfielder.<ref name="allstars">{{Cite web |last=Castrovince |first=Anthony |date=July 8, 2018 |title=These are your 2018 All-Stars |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2018-mlb-all-star-rosters-announced/c-284818156 |access-date=July 8, 2018 |website=[[MLB.com]]}}</ref> In a game against the [[Toronto Blue Jays]] on August 9, he [[hitting for the cycle|hit for the cycle]],<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 9, 2018 |title=Mookie monster! Betts homers in 9th to complete cycle |work=[[ESPN]] |agency=[[Associated Press|AP]] |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=380809114 |access-date=August 9, 2018}}</ref> becoming the 21st player in Red Sox franchise history to accomplish the feat.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bird |first=Hayden |date=August 9, 2018 |title=Mookie Betts hit for the cycle. Here's the full list of Red Sox players to do it. |work=[[Boston.com]] |url=https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-red-sox/2018/08/09/mookie-betts-hit-for-the-cycle-heres-the-full-list-of-red-sox-players-to-do-it |access-date=August 12, 2018}}</ref> On September 26, Betts stole his 30th base of the season, becoming just the second player in Red Sox history to join the [[30–30 club]] (the first was [[Jacoby Ellsbury]] in 2011).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Forde |first=Craig |date=September 26, 2018 |title=Sox reach several milestones in G1 rout of O's |work=[[MLB.com]] |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/red-sox-topple-orioles-with-big-milestones/c-296099292 |access-date=September 26, 2018}}</ref> |
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Betts finished the 2018 season leading the major leagues with a .346 [[batting average (baseball)|batting average]], a .640 [[slugging percentage]], and 129 [[Run (baseball)|runs scored]]. For the season, he had the highest [[batting average on balls in play]] (.373) of all major league players.<ref> |
Betts finished the 2018 season leading the major leagues with a .346 [[batting average (baseball)|batting average]], a .640 [[slugging percentage]], and 129 [[Run (baseball)|runs scored]]. For the season, he had the highest [[batting average on balls in play]] (.373) of all major league players.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Major League Leaderboards » 2018 » Batters » Advanced Statistics | FanGraphs Baseball |url=https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=y&type=1&season=2018&month=0&season1=2018&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0 |website=www.fangraphs.com}}</ref> He also was second in the league in [[power-speed number]] (31.0).<ref>{{Cite web |title=2018 American League Batting Leaders |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/2018-batting-leaders.shtml |website=Baseball-Reference.com}}</ref> He had the highest fielding percentage among major league right fielders, at .996.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Major League Leaderboards » 2018 » Right Fielders » Fielding Statistics | FanGraphs Baseball |url=https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=rf&stats=fld&lg=all&qual=y&type=0&season=2018&month=0&season1=2018&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sort=21,d |website=www.fangraphs.com}}</ref> The Red Sox finished the year at 108–54, and went on to win the [[2018 World Series|World Series]] over the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Castrovince |first=Anthony |date=October 28, 2018 |title=Boston Red Sox win 2018 World Series. |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/red-sox-win-2018-world-series-title/c-299876586 |access-date=October 29, 2018 |website=MLB.com}}</ref> During the postseason, Betts hit 13-for-62 (.210) with one home run and four RBIs. After the season, Betts won his third consecutive [[Rawlings Gold Glove Award|Gold Glove]],<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 4, 2018 |title=Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley Jr. among three Red Sox players named Gold Glove winners |work=[[WCVB-TV]] |url=https://www.wcvb.com/article/mookie-betts-jackie-bradley-jr-among-three-red-sox-players-named-gold-glove-winners/24645045 |access-date=August 5, 2021}}</ref> the [[Heart & Hustle Award]],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ladson |first=Bill |date=November 8, 2018 |title=Betts honored with overall Heart & Hustle Award |work=[[MLB.com]] |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/mookie-betts-wins-2018-heart-and-hustle-award-c300478860 |access-date=August 14, 2019}}</ref> and on November 15 was named the [[Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award|American League MVP]], receiving 28 of 30 first place votes, making him the only player in [[American League]] history to win the World Series, a Gold Glove award, a Silver Slugger award and the AL MVP in the same season.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 15, 2018 |title=Batting champ Mookie Betts wins AL MVP |url=https://bbwaa.com/18-al-mvp/ |access-date=November 15, 2018 |website=[[Baseball Writers' Association of America|BBWAA]]}}</ref> |
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====2019 season: Last year in Boston==== |
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==Bowling== |
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Before the 2019 season, manager [[Alex Cora]] stated he would use [[Andrew Benintendi]] as the team's [[leadoff hitter]], with Betts batting second, swapping their positions from the team's usual 2018 batting order.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Walker |first=Ben |date=December 11, 2018 |title=Red Sox moving Mookie Betts from leadoff to second slot |work=[[Boston.com]] |agency=[[Associated Press|AP]] |url=https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-red-sox/2018/12/11/red-sox-al-mvp-mookie-betts-second-slot-hit |access-date=December 12, 2018}}</ref> At the beginning of June, Cora announced that Betts would again be the team's leadoff hitter since Benintendi went just three for 37 in the leadoff spot.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mastrodonato |first=Jason |date=June 2, 2019 |title=Cora: Mookie Betts to lead off for Red Sox for 'rest of the season' |work=[[Boston Herald]] |url=https://www.bostonherald.com/2019/06/01/cora-mookie-betts-to-lead-off-for-red-sox-for-rest-of-the-season/ |access-date=June 2, 2019}}</ref> At the end of June, Betts had a .261 average with 13 home runs and 37 RBIs. He was selected as a reserve outfielder to the [[2019 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2019 All-Star Game]].<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Simon |first1=Andrew |last2=Adler |first2=David |last3=Kelly |first3=Matt |date=June 30, 2019 |title=Position-by-position breakdown of 2019 All-Stars |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2019-all-stars-by-league-position |access-date=June 30, 2019 |website=[[MLB.com]]}}</ref> On July 26, Betts had the fifth three-homer game of his career, hitting a home run in each of his first three at bats against [[James Paxton (baseball)|James Paxton]] of the Yankees.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Varela |first=Ashley |date=July 26, 2019 |title=Watch: Mookie Betts belts three home runs in first three at-bats |work=[[NBC Sports]] |url=https://mlb.nbcsports.com/2019/07/26/watch-mookie-betts-belts-three-home-runs-in-first-three-at-bats/ |access-date=July 26, 2019}}</ref> |
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Betts is an avid bowler; he bowled throughout his youth and competed in the [[Professional Bowlers Association]] (PBA) World Series of Bowling in [[Reno, Nevada]] in 2015 and again in 2017.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Benbow |first=Julian |date=December 10, 2015 |title=For Mookie Betts, pro bowling event is right up his alley |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2015/12/10/for-mookie-betts-pro-bowling-event-right-his-alley/VwAuIjSYpVX4ObNCCGjq6N/story.html |work=[[The Boston Globe]] |access-date=May 27, 2017}}</ref> He has bowled three [[Perfect game (bowling)|perfect games]], on January 27, 2013; February 2, 2016; and November 12, 2017.<ref>[http://www.bowl.com/findamember bowl.com ID 6701-2103] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115134656/http://www.bowl.com/findamember/ |date=January 15, 2016 }}</ref> His highest game in PBA competition is a 300 game during the [[PBA Bowling Tour: 2017 season|World Series of Bowling]] on November 12, 2017.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mookie Betts bowled a perfect 300 game this weekend because he's good at everything he tries|url=http://m.mlb.com/cutfour/2017/11/12/261711586/mookie-betts-bowled-a-perfect-300-game-in-pba-qualifying-round|publisher=MLB|accessdate=November 13, 2017}}</ref> In February 2019, he won the 2019 CP3 PBA Celebrity Invitational, competing with professional bowler [[Tommy Jones (bowler)|Tommy Jones]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/red-soxs-mookie-betts-reminds-everyone-hes-an-amazing-bowler-wins-celebrity-tournament/|title=Red Sox's Mookie Betts reminds everyone he's an amazing bowler, wins celebrity tournament|website=CBSSports.com|language=en|access-date=2019-02-12}}</ref> |
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For the season, Betts appeared in 150 games while batting .295 with a .915 OPS, 135 runs (leading the major leagues), 29 home runs, 80 RBIs, 40 doubles, and 16 stolen bases in 597 at-bats. On defense in 2019, he had a 15 [[Defensive Runs Saved]] (DRS) rating, the best in the American League among right fielders, and had the best [[fielding percentage]] of all major right fielders (.997).<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 1, 2019 |title=Major League Leaderboards » 2019 » Right Fielders » Fielding Statistics | FanGraphs Baseball |url=https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=rf&stats=fld&lg=all&qual=y&type=0&season=2019&month=0&season1=2019&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&startdate=2019-01-01&enddate=2019-12-31&sort=21,d |access-date=October 8, 2019 |publisher=Fangraphs.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=January 1, 2019 |title=Major League Leaderboards » 2019 » Right Fielders » Fielding Statistics | FanGraphs Baseball |url=https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=rf&stats=fld&lg=all&qual=y&type=1&season=2019&month=0&season1=2019&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&startdate=2019-01-01&enddate=2019-12-31&sort=13,d |access-date=October 7, 2019 |publisher=Fangraphs.com}}</ref> After the season, Betts was awarded his fourth consecutive Gold Glove<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harrigan |first=Thomas |date=November 3, 2019 |title=Betts in elite crowd with 4th straight Gold Glove |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/mookie-betts-wins-fourth-straight-gold-glove |access-date=November 5, 2019 |website=[[MLB.com]]}}</ref> and his 3rd Silver Slugger. He finished eighth in 2019 [[Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award|AL MVP]] voting.<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1195129302892843008 |user=SoxNotes |title=Red Sox' 2019 AL MVP Finishes |date=November 14, 2019 |access-date=November 14, 2019}}</ref> |
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===Los Angeles Dodgers (2020–present)=== |
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====2020 season: Second World Series championship==== |
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On February 10, 2020, the Red Sox traded Betts, [[David Price (baseball)|David Price]] and cash considerations to the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] in exchange for [[Alex Verdugo]], [[Connor Wong]] and [[Jeter Downs]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gurnick |first=Ken |date=February 10, 2020 |title=Mookie Betts is officially on his way to LA |url=https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/mookie-betts-trade-dodgers-red-sox |access-date=February 10, 2020 |website=MLB.com}}</ref> On July 22, the Dodgers signed Betts to a 12-year contract extension, through the 2032 season. The deal was worth $365 million and also included a $65 million [[signing bonus]], making it the richest contract in Dodgers history, and the [[List of largest sports contracts|third-richest contract in the history of North American sports]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 22, 2020 |title=Dodgers sign 2018 AL MVP Mookie Betts to a 12-Year contract |url=https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/press-release/press-release-dodgers-sign-2018-al-mvp-mookie-betts-to-a12-year-contract |access-date=July 22, 2020 |website=Dodgers.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Passan |first=Jeff |date=July 22, 2020 |title=Sources: Mookie Betts to get $392M over 13 years from Dodgers |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/29517069/sources-mookie-betts-dodgers-long-term-contract |access-date=July 22, 2020 |website=ESPN}}</ref> |
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The 2020 season was delayed and shortened from 162 games to 60 due to the [[Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports#Baseball|COVID-19 pandemic]]. On July 23, Betts was the starting right fielder, making his Dodgers debut on [[Opening Day]] against the [[2020 San Francisco Giants season|San Francisco Giants]], getting his first hit, a single, as a Dodger against pitcher [[Tyler Rogers (baseball)|Tyler Rogers]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=San Francisco Giants at Los Angeles Dodgers Box Score, July 23, 2020 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN202007230.shtml |access-date=October 7, 2020 |website=Baseball Reference}}</ref> On July 31, Betts hit his first home run as a Dodger against [[Arizona Diamondback]] pitcher [[Zac Gallen]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Los Angeles Dodgers at Arizona Diamondbacks Box Score, July 31, 2020 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/ARI/ARI202007310.shtml |access-date=October 7, 2020 |website=Baseball Reference}}</ref> On August 13, Betts hit three home runs against the [[San Diego Padres]], his sixth three-homer game of his career, tying [[Sammy Sosa]] and [[Johnny Mize]] as the only players in MLB history to accomplish this feat.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gurnick |first=Ken |date=August 13, 2020 |title=Mookie's sixth 3-HR game ties all-time record |url=https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/mookie-betts-ties-record-with-sixth-three-homer-game |access-date=August 14, 2020 |website=mlb.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://retrosheet.org/boxesetc/B/PX_bettm001.htm|title=Mookie Betts Top Performances at retrosheet.org|website=retrosheet.org|accessdate=January 20, 2023}}</ref> Later that month, Betts hit two home runs and stole two bases against the Colorado Rockies, becoming only the 19th player—and first Dodger—to have a multi-homer, multi-steal game.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Batting Game Finder: In years 1901 to 2020, (requiring HR>=2 and SB>=2), sorted by earliest date |url=https://stathead.com/tiny/g9nwc |access-date=August 25, 2020 |website=Stathead}}</ref> On August 27, 2020, he reached 1,000 MLB career hits.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gurnick |first=Ken |date=August 27, 2020 |title=Roberts: Betts in lineup, players 'stay unified' |url=https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/mookie-betts-in-lineup-vs-giants |access-date=August 31, 2020 |website=MLB.com}}</ref> |
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Betts finished the 2020 season hitting .292/.366/.562 with 47 runs (4th in the NL), 16 home runs (3rd), 39 RBIs, a .928 OPS, and 10 stolen bases.<ref name=br/> On his way to his second [[2020 World Series|World Series]] over a three-season span, Betts made three straight series saving defensive gems in elimination games for the Dodgers in the [[2020 National League Championship Series|NLCS against the Atlanta Braves]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=DiComo |first=Anthony |date=October 19, 2020 |title=Was this catch the biggest play of all? |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/mookie-betts-robs-freddie-freeman-hr-nlcs-game-7 |access-date=November 22, 2020 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}</ref> In the World Series clincher, Betts scored twice and hit a home run. Betts also homered in Game 5 of the [[2018 World Series|‘18 World Series]], when the Red Sox went on to clinch. He became the ninth player to homer in multiple World Series clinchers, and just the second to do it with different teams — joining [[Reggie Jackson]].<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Langs |first1=Sarah |last2=Simon |first2=Andrew |date=October 28, 2020 |title=20 facts about LA's title, 2020 postseason |url=https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/2020-world-series-stats-and-facts |access-date=November 26, 2020 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}</ref> His eight doubles in the postseason tied a major league record for most doubles in a single postseason. After the season, Betts was awarded his fifth consecutive Gold Glove (first in the National League) and his fourth Silver Slugger.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 4, 2020 |title=Mookie Betts wins Gold Glove |url=https://www.mlb.com/video/mookie-betts-wins-gold-glove |access-date=August 5, 2021 |website=MLB.com}}</ref> He finished second in [[Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award|NL MVP]] voting behind [[Freddie Freeman]] of the [[Atlanta Braves]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gurnick |first=Ken |date=November 12, 2020 |title=Mookie falls short of MVP history...for now |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/mookie-betts-runner-up-2020-nl-mvp-award |access-date=November 13, 2020 |website=[[MLB.com]]}}</ref> |
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====2021 season: Fifth All-Star appearance==== |
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[[File:Mookie Betts (51362604855) (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|Betts at the [[White House]] in 2021 with the [[2020 World Series]] championship Dodgers team in 2021]] |
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Betts was selected to the [[2021 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|National League All-Star Team]], his first appearance with the Dodgers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Toribio |first=Juan |date=July 4, 2021 |title=Betts, Taylor and Muncy to All-Star Game |url=https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/los-angeles-dodgers-2021-all-stars |access-date=July 4, 2021 |website=MLB.com}}</ref> He did not play in the game due to injury, having battled back and left shoulder trouble this year.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Williams|first=Blake |date=July 10, 2021 |title=Dodgers News: Mookie Betts Withdraws From 2021 MLB All-Star Game |url=https://dodgerblue.com/dodgers-news-mookie-betts-withdraws-from-2021-mlb-all-star-game/2021/07/10/ |access-date=August 26, 2021 |website=Dodger Blue}}</ref> He played in 122 games for the Dodgers, with a .264 batting average, 23 home runs and 58 RBI.<ref name=br/> In the postseason, he had two hits in four at-bats in the [[2021 National League Wild Card Game|Wild Card Game]], nine hits in 20 at-bats (.450) with one home run in the [[2021 NLDS]] and four hits in 23 at-bats (.174) in the [[2021 NLCS]].<ref name=br/> |
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====2022 season: Sixth All-Star appearance==== |
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In mid-June, Betts cracked his rib and went on the ten-day injured list.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stephen |first=Eric |date=June 18, 2022 |title=Mookie Betts has a cracked rib, headed for the injured list |url=https://www.truebluela.com/2022/6/18/23174313/mookie-betts-injured-list-cracked-rib-dodgers |access-date=June 24, 2022 |website=True Blue LA |language=en}}</ref> On July 23, Betts hit his 200th career home run off of [[Alex Wood (baseball)|Alex Wood]] of the [[San Francisco Giants]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/mookie-betts-hits-200th-career-home-run-in-win-over-giants?game_pk=662608|title=Betts' 200th HR sparks LA as superstars overwhelm rival|work=MLB.com|first=Juan|last=Toribio|date=July 23, 2022|accessdate=July 24, 2022}}</ref> |
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He was selected as a starting outfielder for the National League All-Star Team, making his sixth appearance at the MLB All-Star game, which was played at [[Dodger Stadium]] in 2022. He played in 142 games for the Dodgers in 2022, batting .269 with a career-high 35 home runs and recording 82 RBIs. He was tied for the league lead with 117 runs scored.<ref name=br/> |
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Betts finished fifth in voting for the National League Most Valuable Player award.<ref>{{cite web |title=Here are the MVP Award vote totals |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2022-mlb-mvp-award-voting-results |website=MLB.com |publisher=Major League Baseball |access-date=August 8, 2023}}</ref> He won his fifth Silver Slugger award.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Casella |first1=Paul |title=Here are the 2022 Silver Slugger winners |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/silver-slugger-award-winners-2022 |website=MLB.com |publisher=Major League Baseball |access-date=August 8, 2023}}</ref> |
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====2023 season: Seventh All-Star appearance==== |
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In 2023, as a result of injuries and under performance among the Dodgers infielders, Betts displayed his versatility by spending significant time at second base.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/37661221/mookie-betts-los-angeles-dodgers-shortstop-second-base|title=How Mookie Betts became a Los Angeles Dodgers infielder|work=ESPN|first=Alden|last=Gonzalez|date=May 17, 2023|accessdate=October 6, 2023}}</ref> and also made his first-ever career appearance as a [[shortstop]] in a game against the [[Chicago Cubs]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rogers |first1=Jesse |title='Dream come true': Mookie Betts makes 1st career appearance at SS |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/36251183/dodgers-mookie-betts-makes-1st-career-appearance-shortstop |access-date=August 8, 2023 |agency=ESPN.com |publisher=ESPN Enterprises, Inc. |date=April 21, 2023}}</ref> |
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Betts was elected by the fans as a National League starter in the 2023 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.<ref>{{cite news |last1=DiGiovanna |first1=Mike |title=Mookie Betts among three Dodgers voted to start All-Star Game |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/story/2023-06-29/dodgers-all-star-game-starters-mookie-betts-freddie-freeman-jd-martinez |access-date=August 8, 2023 |agency=Los Angeles Times |work=Los Angeles Times |date=June 30, 2023}}</ref> On August 7, 2023, Betts hit his fifth career grand slam home run as a lead-off batter, tying a Major League record.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Morris |first1=Sarah |title=Dodgers News:Mookie Betts Makes MLB History Monday Against Padres |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/dodgers-news-mookie-betts-makes-mlb-history-monday-against-padres/ar-AA1eVKGv |access-date=August 8, 2023 |agency=Sports Illustrated |publisher=Sports Illustrated |date=August 7, 2023}}</ref> |
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Betts played in 107 games in the outfield, 70 games at second base and 16 games at shortstop.<ref name=br/> He had a .307 batting average with a career high 39 home runs and 107 RBI.<ref name=br/> |
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====2024 season: Shift to shortstop==== |
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Heading into [[spring training]] in 2024, the plan was for Betts to become the Dodgers full-time second baseman, as the team had more outfielders that they wanted to get playing time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/mookie-betts-move-to-second-base-explained|title=Mookie Betts moving to second base makes sense|work=MLB.com|first=Mike|last=Petriello|date=December 4, 2023|accessdate=March 8, 2024}}</ref> However, the plan changed as a result of [[Gavin Lux]]'s poor defense in [[Cactus League]] games, and on March 8, it was announced that Betts would instead become the Dodgers starting shortstop.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10112254-mookie-betts-to-be-dodgers-starting-shortstop-over-gavin-lux-dave-roberts-says|title=Mookie Betts to Be Dodgers' Starting Shortstop over Gavin Lux, Dave Roberts Says|work=Bleacher Report|first=Julia|last=Stumbach|date=March 8, 2024|accessdate=March 8, 2024}}</ref> In a game on June 16, Betts was hit in the left hand by a 97.9 mph fastball thrown by [[Kansas City Royals]] pitcher [[Dan Altavilla]], fracturing it and necessitating a lengthy stay on the injured list.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/mookie-betts-exits-game-vs-royals-after-hit-by-pitch-to-hand|title=Betts facing lengthy absence after HBP fractures left hand|work=mlb.com|first=Sarah|last=Wexler|date=June 16, 2024|accessdate=June 17, 2024}}</ref> He returned from the injured list on August 12, with the Dodgers announcing that Betts would return to right field for the rest of the season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/los-angeles-dodgers-mookie-betts-4bc0f5c3241f55b7a963d4346a922388|title=Dodgers activate Mookie Betts from injured list before starting series with Brewers|work=Associated Press|date=August 12, 2024|accessdate=August 12, 2024}}</ref> |
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==Film production== |
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In January 2022, Betts signed a movie production agreement with [[Propagate Content]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Goldberg |first1=Lesley |title=Dodgers All-Star Mookie Betts Inks Producing Deal With Propagate |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/dodgers-all-star-mookie-betts-inks-producing-deal-with-propagate-1235073989/ |access-date=August 8, 2023 |agency=The Hollywood Reporter |publisher=Penske Media Corp. |date=January 12, 2022}}</ref> |
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Betts participated in the production of a film focused on the life of [[Jackie Robinson]]. The film, ''Jackie Robinson: Get to the Bag'', was shown in a preview event at a New York museum in August 2022.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ardaya |first1=Fabian |title=Mookie Betts embraces his voice in new Jackie Robinson-themed film: 'I want to affect lives' |url=https://theathletic.com/3673598/2022/10/10/mookie-betts-jackie-robinson-documentary/ |access-date=August 8, 2023 |agency=The Athletic |publisher=The Athletic Media Co. |date=October 10, 2022}}</ref> |
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==Personal life== |
==Personal life== |
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Although it has been reported that Betts is a nephew of [[Terry Shumpert]],<ref>{{ |
Although it has been reported that Betts is a nephew of [[Terry Shumpert]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Willis |first=David |date=June 18, 2012 |title=Spinners' Betts follows in big league uncle's foot |url=http://www.eagletribune.com/sports/x514657203/Spinners-Betts-follows-in-big-league-uncles-footsteps/print |access-date=April 30, 2014 |website=Eagle Tribune}}</ref> who played parts of 14 seasons with several MLB teams,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Terry Shumpert, 2b, Rays |url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/statistics/players/cards/25641 |access-date=April 30, 2014 |website=Baseball America}}</ref> they are actually first cousins once removed, as Shumpert is a first cousin to Betts' mother, Diana. In 2004, Shumpert spent his final season of professional baseball with the Triple-A [[Nashville Sounds]] and worked extensively with Betts.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Tomase |first1=John |last2=Tomasered |first2=John |date=May 11, 2014 |title=Mookie Betts streaks through Red Sox system |url=https://www.bostonherald.com/2014/05/11/mookie-betts-streaks-through-red-sox-system/ |access-date=August 5, 2021 |website=Boston Herald |language=en-US}}</ref> He is a distant cousin of [[Meghan, Duchess of Sussex]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Newport |first=Kyle |date=May 8, 2018 |title=Genealogist Believes Mookie Betts, Meghan Markle May Be Distant Relatives |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2774885-genealogist-believes-mookie-betts-meghan-markle-may-be-distant-relatives |access-date=July 1, 2019 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Abraham |first=Peter |date=June 29, 2019 |title=Mookie Betts meets his distant relative, Meghan Markle |url=https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-red-sox/2019/06/29/mookie-betts-meets-his-distant-relative-meghan-markle |access-date=July 1, 2019 |website=Boston.com |language=en-US}}</ref> |
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In 2021, Betts said that he had "made the switch over to [[veganism|vegan]]" but by 2023 confirmed he is no longer vegan.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://dodgersnation.com/dodgers-mookie-betts-confirms-once-and-for-all-hes-not-vegan/2023/02/16/ | title=Dodgers: Mookie Betts Confirms Once and for All He's Not Vegan | date=February 17, 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Redding |first1=Angela |title=Dodgers' Outfielder, Mookie Betts Holds Virtual Meet and Greet at Dodger Stadium |url=https://thehollywoodtimes.today/dodgers-outfielder-mookie-betts-holds-virtual-meet-greet-dodger-stadium/ |access-date=April 6, 2022 |work=The Hollywood Times |date=May 11, 2021}}</ref> |
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Betts' first [[Little League Baseball]] coach was his mother, Diana, who is also an avid [[Ten-pin bowling|bowler]] and taught Mookie to bowl at an early age.<ref name="autogenerated2"/> Betts was named the Tennessee boys Bowler of the Year in 2010, having set Tennessee high school records that season with a 290 game and an 827 three-game series.<ref>{{cite web|last=Lee |first=Joon |url=http://www.overthemonster.com/2015/6/30/8422417/mookie-betts-dunking-basketballs-and-being-generally-awesome |title=Mookie Betts is great at every sport he's ever played |publisher=Over the Monster |date=June 30, 2015 |accessdate=December 29, 2017}}</ref> He has rolled three sanctioned [[Perfect game (bowling)|300 games]] and has averaged over 200 in league competition. In the 2015 offseason, Betts entered the [[Professional Bowlers Association]]'s [[GEICO]] World Series of Bowling VII, which was held in [[Reno, Nevada]].<ref>http://news.pba.com/post/2015/10/6/Boston-Red-Sox-Star-Mookie-Betts-Enter-GEICO-PBA-World-Series-of-Bowling-VII.aspx</ref> In 2017 he competed once more in the event. |
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Betts and his longtime girlfriend, Brianna Hammonds, began dating in high school.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Snehanjali |first=M |date=August 3, 2021 |title=Mookie Betts is Married? Get All Details About This Star Baseball Player's Life...|url=https://instachronicles.com/2021/08/03/mookie-betts/|access-date=August 26, 2021 |website=Insta Chronicles }}</ref> The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter, in November 2018.<ref>{{Cite news |last=<!--Staff--> |date=November 6, 2018 |title=Congrats, Mookie |work=Red Sox Twitter |url=https://twitter.com/RedSox/status/1060008512191975426 |access-date=November 6, 2018}}</ref> Betts and Hammonds announced their engagement in January 2021 and married on December 1, 2021, in Palos Verdes, California.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McCarriston |first=Shanna |date=January 11, 2021 |title=Dodgers star Mookie Betts gets engaged to longtime girlfriend Brianna Hammonds |url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/dodgers-star-mookie-betts-gets-engaged-to-longtime-girlfriend-brianna-hammonds/ |access-date=August 5, 2021 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}}</ref> They have a home in [[Franklin, Tennessee]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=West |first=Emily R. |date=August 1, 2019 |title=Mookie Betts' new home under construction in Franklin |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/williamson/2019/08/01/mookie-betts-new-home-franklin-tn-williamson-county-boston-red-sox/1890282001/ |access-date=August 5, 2021 |website=The Tennessean |language=en-US}}</ref> Betts also purchased a mansion for $7.6 million in [[Encino, Los Angeles]], when he became a Dodger.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hamilton |first=Mae |date=November 10, 2020 |title=Inside Mookie Betts' $7.6 Million Encino Mansion|url=https://www.dirt.com/gallery/athletes/sports-stars/mookie-betts-house-encino-1203349321/mookiebetts_enc/|access-date=August 26, 2021 |language=en-US}}</ref> |
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Betts's parents chose his name in part to form the initials MLB, matching those of Major League Baseball.<ref name="autogenerated2"/> He has attributed his nickname Mookie to his parents watching former [[National Basketball Association|NBA]] guard [[Mookie Blaylock]] play basketball shortly after Betts was born. Betts has stated that he has never met Blaylock.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.csnne.com/blog/red-sox-talk/10-questions-sox-prospect-mookie-betts |title=10 Questions with Sox prospect Mookie Betts |publisher=Csnne.com |date=July 16, 2013 |accessdate=April 30, 2014}}</ref> |
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As a member of the Red Sox, Betts became known for his necklaces. One was a gift from a 13-year-old fan, given to Betts during [[spring training]] in 2018 prior to his [[List of Major League Baseball batting champions|AL Batting Championship]], [[Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award|MVP Award]] and [[2018 World Series|World Series]] championship.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grossfeld |first=Stan |date=October 26, 2018 |title=The story behind Mookie Betts's unusual necklace |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/redsox/2018/10/26/the-story-behind-mookie-betts-unusual-necklace/D5QmOGoCuTKiF7UCfOJPpO/story.html |access-date=October 29, 2020 |website=Boston Globe |language=en-US}}</ref> Betts continued wearing the necklace after being traded to the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]], a season which culminated in his second World Championship.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Brook |date=August 18, 2018 |title=Dodgers: Why Mookie Betts Wears That Necklace Every Game |url=https://www.dodgersnation.com/dodgers-why-mookie-betts-wears-that-necklace-every-game/2020/08/18/ |access-date=October 29, 2020 |website=Dodgers Nation |language=en-US}}</ref> |
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His first child, a daughter, was born on November 6, 2018.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://twitter.com/RedSox/status/1060008512191975426|title=Congrats, Mookie|author=<!--Staff-->|date=November 6, 2018|access-date=November 6, 2018|website=Red Sox Twitter}}</ref> |
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{{Baseballstats|mlb=605141|espn=33039|br=b/bettsmo01|fangraphs=13611|cube=165255|brm=betts-000mar}}, or [https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/B/Pbettm001.htm Retrosheet] |
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Latest revision as of 04:57, 28 August 2024
Mookie Betts | |||||||||||||||
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![]() Betts with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024 | |||||||||||||||
Los Angeles Dodgers – No. 50 | |||||||||||||||
Right fielder / Second baseman / Shortstop | |||||||||||||||
Born: Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. | October 7, 1992|||||||||||||||
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |||||||||||||||
MLB debut | |||||||||||||||
June 29, 2014, for the Boston Red Sox | |||||||||||||||
MLB statistics (through August 27, 2024) | |||||||||||||||
Batting average | .295 | ||||||||||||||
Hits | 1,586 | ||||||||||||||
Home runs | 265 | ||||||||||||||
Runs batted in | 807 | ||||||||||||||
Stolen bases | 183 | ||||||||||||||
Teams | |||||||||||||||
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Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||||
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Medals
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Markus Lynn "Mookie" Betts (born October 7, 1992) is an American professional baseball right fielder and shortstop for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Boston Red Sox. Betts is an eight-time All-Star, a six-time Silver Slugger Award winner, a six-time Gold Glove Award recipient, a two-time World Series champion, and was named the Most Valuable Player in the American League in 2018. He is also second in Wins Above Replacement (WAR) among active position players, behind Mike Trout.[1]
Betts was drafted by the Red Sox in 2011, and made his MLB debut in the 2014 season,[2] splitting time between second base and the outfield. He became the Red Sox center fielder in 2014, before moving to right field in 2016.[3] As a relatively short natural second baseman with a high contact rate and a high level of production when pulling the ball, Betts has been compared to former Red Sox teammate Dustin Pedroia.[4][5] In 2018, he became the first player in MLB history to win the Most Valuable Player, Silver Slugger, Gold Glove, batting title, and World Series all in the same season.[6] After six seasons with Boston, Betts was traded to the Dodgers in 2020 and later signed a 12-year, $365 million extension with the team through the 2032 season. He won his second World Series in his first season with Los Angeles.
Outside of baseball, Betts is also a professional ten-pin bowler for the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA). He bowled a perfect game in the World Series of Bowling in 2017.[7]
Early life
[edit]Betts' parents chose his name in part to form the initials MLB, matching those of Major League Baseball.[8] He has attributed his nickname Mookie to his parents watching former NBA guard Mookie Blaylock play basketball shortly after Betts was born. Betts has stated that he has never met Blaylock.[9] When Little League Baseball coaches refused to accept Betts because of his small size, his mother started her own team so that her son could play.[10]
In 2010, Betts' junior year at John Overton High School in Nashville, Betts batted .548 with 24 steals. In November of that year, Betts signed a letter of commitment to attend the University of Tennessee on a baseball scholarship, also getting recruited by Vanderbilt University, Mississippi State University, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham.[11]
At Overton, Betts was also a standout basketball player, named MVP of the District 12-AAA league his senior season while averaging 14.1 points, nine assists, four rebounds, and three steals per game;[12] and also named Class AAA All-City Player of the Year for the Nashville, Tennessee, metropolitan area.[13] His junior year, Betts was named MVP of the District 12-AAA tournament.[14] Betts also excelled in bowling, named the Tennessee Boys Bowler of the Year in 2010 with a high score of 290. He grew up bowling at the Donelson Strike and Spare in Donelson, Tennessee.[15]
Professional career
[edit]Draft and minor leagues
[edit]The Boston Red Sox selected Betts in the fifth round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft with the 172nd overall pick as a second baseman.[16] After protracted negotiations,[8] Betts subsequently rescinded his commitment to the University of Tennessee, signing a $750,000 contract with the Red Sox organization.[17] Betts played one game in 2011 for the GCL Red Sox of the rookie Gulf Coast League, getting two hits in four at bats.[18] In 2012, he batted .267 and stole 20 bases in 71 games for the short season Lowell Spinners of the New York–Penn League. He played shortstop regularly, but looked more comfortable[19] at second base.[20]
Betts started the 2013 season with the Greenville Drive of the Low A South Atlantic League. In 76 games, Betts batted .296,[20] with a 19-game hitting streak[21] and was selected to the South Atlantic League All-Star Game.[22]
On July 9, Betts was promoted to the Salem Red Sox of the High A Carolina League,[23] batting .341 in 51 games to complete the 2013 season, with a combined .314 average in 127 games between Greenville and Salem, with 15 home runs and 38 steals.[20] Betts was named Offensive Player of the Year and Breakout Player of the Year in the Boston minor league system,[24] leading all Sox minors players with a .506 slugging percentage, while his .314 batting average ranked him third behind Alex Hassan (.338) and Garin Cecchini (.322).[25] Betts was a second-team inclusion on the Baseball America Minor League All-Star Team for 2013, with the first-team selection for second base going to Marcus Semien, an infielder for the Chicago White Sox.[26] Betts subsequently played 16 games for the Surprise Saguaros of the Arizona Fall League, batting .271.[18]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/64/Mookie_Betts_on_July_20%2C_2014.jpg/180px-Mookie_Betts_on_July_20%2C_2014.jpg)
Betts opened the 2014 season with the Portland Sea Dogs of the Double-A Eastern League,[20] batting .355 in 54 games to lead the Eastern League through June 2. On June 3, Betts was promoted to the Pawtucket Red Sox of the Triple-A International League,[27] batting .322 and reaching base in all 23 games with the PawSox.[28]
In 2013 and 2014, Betts reached base in 66 straight regular-season games plus five playoff games for a combined streak of 71 games.[29] Because official baseball streak records do not include playoff games, Betts' streak has been listed at 66 games; Kevin Millar and Kevin Youkilis hold the official minor league record for consecutive games reaching base, at 71 games, with Minor League Baseball lacking data on the statistic before 1997.[30]
Since mid-May 2014, Betts has played outfield in addition to second base.[31] In 2013, four-time All-Star second baseman Dustin Pedroia signed an eight-year, $110 million contract extension with the Red Sox, leading to speculation that the Red Sox would groom Betts for a new position.[32][33]
Boston Red Sox (2014–2019)
[edit]2014 season: Rookie season
[edit]Betts was promoted to the Red Sox on June 28, 2014.[34][35] He had previously been selected for the All-Star Futures Game, but was replaced following his promotion to the Major Leagues.[36]
Betts made his debut on June 29, recording his first major league career hit against Yankees starter Chase Whitley in the fourth inning.[37] He hit his first home run on July 2 off the Cubs' Carlos Villanueva.[38] He then was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket on July 19 when Shane Victorino was activated from the disabled list,[39] and was recalled to Boston on August 1. Betts was optioned back to Pawtucket in August and recalled again on August 18.[40]
On August 29, Betts hit his first career grand slam against Rays pitcher Chris Archer in a Red Sox victory at Tropicana Field.[41] At age 21, Betts became the youngest Sox player to hit a grand slam in 49 years.[42][43] Betts spent most of the 2014 season playing in the outfield, but on September 11, manager John Farrell announced that Betts would play second base "fairly regularly" following injuries to regular second basemen Dustin Pedroia and Brock Holt.[44]
Betts split the 2014 season fairly evenly between AA, AAA and MLB, playing 52 major league games.[45] He performed well for the Red Sox, hitting .291 with five home runs; and played over half his innings in center field.[46]
2015 season: Shift to right field
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/78/Mookie_Betts_makes_a_spectacular_play%2C_robs_Nats_of_a_homer_%2823327352881%29.jpg/200px-Mookie_Betts_makes_a_spectacular_play%2C_robs_Nats_of_a_homer_%2823327352881%29.jpg)
On April 6, 2015, Opening Day for the Boston Red Sox against the Philadelphia Phillies, he hit a home run in his second at-bat, becoming the third youngest player to hit a home run on Opening Day for the Red Sox.[47] On April 13, 2015, in the home opener at Fenway Park against the Washington Nationals, Betts arguably had the most exciting performance of his career. He robbed Bryce Harper of a home run, stole two bases on one play, and hit a home run into the Monster seats, all in the first three innings.[48]
Betts was named the AL Player of the Week for the week ending on June 21, 2015. Within that week, Betts batted .581 (18-for-31) with two home runs, two triples, three doubles, seven RBI and eight runs. He led the AL in batting average, hits, on-base percentage (.594), total bases (31), and slugging percentage (1.000) that week.[49] In the latter part of the season, he spent some time in right field, leading to speculation that he would move there permanently, to allow teammate Jackie Bradley Jr. to take over in center field.[50] Betts ended the 2015 season with a .291 batting average, with 92 runs scored, 77 RBIs, 18 home runs and 21 stolen bases.[51]
2016 season: First All-Star appearance
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/09/Mookie_Betts_on_May_31%2C_2016.jpg/150px-Mookie_Betts_on_May_31%2C_2016.jpg)
Betts was selected to the 2016 MLB All-Star Game, the first of his career.[52] He started in right field and was 1-for-2 with a single, and a RBI.[53][54] Betts was named the AL Player of the Month for July, when he batted .368 (35-for-95) with five home runs, 15 RBIs, five stolen bases and a 1.068 OPS in 23 games.[55] On September 20, Betts became the first player to reach 200 hits during the 2016 MLB season.[56] In 158 games played, Betts finished the season with a .318 batting average, 214 hits, 122 runs scored, 42 doubles, 31 home runs, 113 RBI, and an MLB-leading 359 total bases. His 67 multi-hit games also led MLB.[57] He also was 2nd in the league in power-speed number (28.3).[58]
With the Red Sox finishing the season 93–69, the team clinched the AL East Division, but succumbed to a three-game sweep by the Cleveland Indians in the 2016 ALDS.[59] Wilson Sporting Goods named Betts it's Defensive Player of the Year at right field and best overall among all major league fielders.[60] After the season, Betts was named a finalist for the American League MVP Award, alongside Mike Trout and José Altuve. He finished as the runner-up to Trout.[61]
In November, Betts underwent right knee surgery.[62][63]
2017 season: Second All-Star appearance
[edit]From September 12, 2016, through to April 19, 2017, Betts maintained a streak of 129 consecutive plate appearances without a strikeout. The streak ended when Francisco Liriano of the Toronto Blue Jays struck him out.[64] In a regular season game at Toronto, he tied an MLB record when he recorded eight RBIs from the leadoff slot in a 15–1 rout of the Blue Jays on July 2, 2017. He was granted his second American League All-Star Game selection on the same day.[65] Originally chosen as a reserve, it was announced on July 3 that Betts will start in place of Mike Trout, who was out due to surgery on his thumb.[66]
Betts ended the season with a .264 batting average, 101 runs scored, 26 stolen bases, 24 home runs and 102 RBIs.[67] Betts led the Red Sox in each of those categories except batting average, as he batted just .236 from the All-Star break through September 4. Despite his solid stats on the season, Betts was criticized for his inability to turn balls in play into hits. His batting average on balls in play fell 54 points from its 2016 level to .268.[68] He also was 3rd in the league in power-speed number (25.0).[69] He won his second consecutive Golden Glove Award this season.
2018 season: AL MVP and First World Series championship
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/56/Mookie_Betts_running_2018.jpg/180px-Mookie_Betts_running_2018.jpg)
On April 17, 2018, Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe published a column titled, "Mookie Betts or Mike Trout: Who gets the nod?"[70] in which he compared Betts to Mike Trout, a then-two-time MVP widely considered the best player in baseball.[71][72][73][74] Of the 10 professional evaluators Cafardo asked, seven chose Trout and three chose Betts.[70] "To be in the same conversation as a great player like that is an honor," Betts said.[70] That same night, Betts hit three home runs to lead the Red Sox to a 10–1 win over Trout's Los Angeles Angels.[75] It was the third three-homer game of his career, tying him with Ted Williams for the most in Red Sox history.[75] Betts broke the tie with Williams and set the franchise record on May 2, hitting three home runs in a 5–4 win over the Kansas City Royals.[76] He became the first player in MLB history to produce four three-homer games before the age of 26.[76]
By May 21, Betts had amassed a major league-leading 15 home runs. He led MLB in batting average, slugging percentage, OPS, total bases, extra-base hits, doubles, runs scored, runs created, and OPS+. He led Boston with 11 stolen bases, good for third in MLB. His 3.8 WAR (as calculated by Baseball-Reference.com) at that point was second only to Trout in the majors. His offensive success was a major factor in the Red Sox’ 32–15 start. On June 1, Betts was placed on the 10-day disabled list, retroactive to May 29, with a left abdominal strain; he returned to the active roster on June 11.[77] On July 6, Betts hit his 22nd home run of the season, the 100th of his MLB career.[78] He became the fourth Red Sox player to hit 100 home runs before turning 26, the others being Tony Conigliaro, Jim Rice, and Ted Williams.[78] On July 8, while batting .343 with 22 home runs and 44 RBIs,[79] Betts was named to the 2018 MLB All-Star Game as an American League starting outfielder.[80] In a game against the Toronto Blue Jays on August 9, he hit for the cycle,[81] becoming the 21st player in Red Sox franchise history to accomplish the feat.[82] On September 26, Betts stole his 30th base of the season, becoming just the second player in Red Sox history to join the 30–30 club (the first was Jacoby Ellsbury in 2011).[83]
Betts finished the 2018 season leading the major leagues with a .346 batting average, a .640 slugging percentage, and 129 runs scored. For the season, he had the highest batting average on balls in play (.373) of all major league players.[84] He also was second in the league in power-speed number (31.0).[85] He had the highest fielding percentage among major league right fielders, at .996.[86] The Red Sox finished the year at 108–54, and went on to win the World Series over the Los Angeles Dodgers.[87] During the postseason, Betts hit 13-for-62 (.210) with one home run and four RBIs. After the season, Betts won his third consecutive Gold Glove,[88] the Heart & Hustle Award,[89] and on November 15 was named the American League MVP, receiving 28 of 30 first place votes, making him the only player in American League history to win the World Series, a Gold Glove award, a Silver Slugger award and the AL MVP in the same season.[90]
2019 season: Last year in Boston
[edit]Before the 2019 season, manager Alex Cora stated he would use Andrew Benintendi as the team's leadoff hitter, with Betts batting second, swapping their positions from the team's usual 2018 batting order.[91] At the beginning of June, Cora announced that Betts would again be the team's leadoff hitter since Benintendi went just three for 37 in the leadoff spot.[92] At the end of June, Betts had a .261 average with 13 home runs and 37 RBIs. He was selected as a reserve outfielder to the 2019 All-Star Game.[93] On July 26, Betts had the fifth three-homer game of his career, hitting a home run in each of his first three at bats against James Paxton of the Yankees.[94]
For the season, Betts appeared in 150 games while batting .295 with a .915 OPS, 135 runs (leading the major leagues), 29 home runs, 80 RBIs, 40 doubles, and 16 stolen bases in 597 at-bats. On defense in 2019, he had a 15 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) rating, the best in the American League among right fielders, and had the best fielding percentage of all major right fielders (.997).[95][96] After the season, Betts was awarded his fourth consecutive Gold Glove[97] and his 3rd Silver Slugger. He finished eighth in 2019 AL MVP voting.[98]
Los Angeles Dodgers (2020–present)
[edit]2020 season: Second World Series championship
[edit]On February 10, 2020, the Red Sox traded Betts, David Price and cash considerations to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for Alex Verdugo, Connor Wong and Jeter Downs.[99] On July 22, the Dodgers signed Betts to a 12-year contract extension, through the 2032 season. The deal was worth $365 million and also included a $65 million signing bonus, making it the richest contract in Dodgers history, and the third-richest contract in the history of North American sports.[100][101]
The 2020 season was delayed and shortened from 162 games to 60 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On July 23, Betts was the starting right fielder, making his Dodgers debut on Opening Day against the San Francisco Giants, getting his first hit, a single, as a Dodger against pitcher Tyler Rogers.[102] On July 31, Betts hit his first home run as a Dodger against Arizona Diamondback pitcher Zac Gallen.[103] On August 13, Betts hit three home runs against the San Diego Padres, his sixth three-homer game of his career, tying Sammy Sosa and Johnny Mize as the only players in MLB history to accomplish this feat.[104][105] Later that month, Betts hit two home runs and stole two bases against the Colorado Rockies, becoming only the 19th player—and first Dodger—to have a multi-homer, multi-steal game.[106] On August 27, 2020, he reached 1,000 MLB career hits.[107]
Betts finished the 2020 season hitting .292/.366/.562 with 47 runs (4th in the NL), 16 home runs (3rd), 39 RBIs, a .928 OPS, and 10 stolen bases.[2] On his way to his second World Series over a three-season span, Betts made three straight series saving defensive gems in elimination games for the Dodgers in the NLCS against the Atlanta Braves.[108] In the World Series clincher, Betts scored twice and hit a home run. Betts also homered in Game 5 of the ‘18 World Series, when the Red Sox went on to clinch. He became the ninth player to homer in multiple World Series clinchers, and just the second to do it with different teams — joining Reggie Jackson.[109] His eight doubles in the postseason tied a major league record for most doubles in a single postseason. After the season, Betts was awarded his fifth consecutive Gold Glove (first in the National League) and his fourth Silver Slugger.[110] He finished second in NL MVP voting behind Freddie Freeman of the Atlanta Braves.[111]
2021 season: Fifth All-Star appearance
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/39/Mookie_Betts_%2851362604855%29_%28cropped%29.jpg/180px-Mookie_Betts_%2851362604855%29_%28cropped%29.jpg)
Betts was selected to the National League All-Star Team, his first appearance with the Dodgers.[112] He did not play in the game due to injury, having battled back and left shoulder trouble this year.[113] He played in 122 games for the Dodgers, with a .264 batting average, 23 home runs and 58 RBI.[2] In the postseason, he had two hits in four at-bats in the Wild Card Game, nine hits in 20 at-bats (.450) with one home run in the 2021 NLDS and four hits in 23 at-bats (.174) in the 2021 NLCS.[2]
2022 season: Sixth All-Star appearance
[edit]In mid-June, Betts cracked his rib and went on the ten-day injured list.[114] On July 23, Betts hit his 200th career home run off of Alex Wood of the San Francisco Giants.[115]
He was selected as a starting outfielder for the National League All-Star Team, making his sixth appearance at the MLB All-Star game, which was played at Dodger Stadium in 2022. He played in 142 games for the Dodgers in 2022, batting .269 with a career-high 35 home runs and recording 82 RBIs. He was tied for the league lead with 117 runs scored.[2]
Betts finished fifth in voting for the National League Most Valuable Player award.[116] He won his fifth Silver Slugger award.[117]
2023 season: Seventh All-Star appearance
[edit]In 2023, as a result of injuries and under performance among the Dodgers infielders, Betts displayed his versatility by spending significant time at second base.[118] and also made his first-ever career appearance as a shortstop in a game against the Chicago Cubs.[119]
Betts was elected by the fans as a National League starter in the 2023 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.[120] On August 7, 2023, Betts hit his fifth career grand slam home run as a lead-off batter, tying a Major League record.[121]
Betts played in 107 games in the outfield, 70 games at second base and 16 games at shortstop.[2] He had a .307 batting average with a career high 39 home runs and 107 RBI.[2]
2024 season: Shift to shortstop
[edit]Heading into spring training in 2024, the plan was for Betts to become the Dodgers full-time second baseman, as the team had more outfielders that they wanted to get playing time.[122] However, the plan changed as a result of Gavin Lux's poor defense in Cactus League games, and on March 8, it was announced that Betts would instead become the Dodgers starting shortstop.[123] In a game on June 16, Betts was hit in the left hand by a 97.9 mph fastball thrown by Kansas City Royals pitcher Dan Altavilla, fracturing it and necessitating a lengthy stay on the injured list.[124] He returned from the injured list on August 12, with the Dodgers announcing that Betts would return to right field for the rest of the season.[125]
Film production
[edit]In January 2022, Betts signed a movie production agreement with Propagate Content.[126]
Betts participated in the production of a film focused on the life of Jackie Robinson. The film, Jackie Robinson: Get to the Bag, was shown in a preview event at a New York museum in August 2022.[127]
Personal life
[edit]Although it has been reported that Betts is a nephew of Terry Shumpert,[128] who played parts of 14 seasons with several MLB teams,[129] they are actually first cousins once removed, as Shumpert is a first cousin to Betts' mother, Diana. In 2004, Shumpert spent his final season of professional baseball with the Triple-A Nashville Sounds and worked extensively with Betts.[130] He is a distant cousin of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.[131][132]
In 2021, Betts said that he had "made the switch over to vegan" but by 2023 confirmed he is no longer vegan.[133][134]
Betts and his longtime girlfriend, Brianna Hammonds, began dating in high school.[135] The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter, in November 2018.[136] Betts and Hammonds announced their engagement in January 2021 and married on December 1, 2021, in Palos Verdes, California.[137] They have a home in Franklin, Tennessee.[138] Betts also purchased a mansion for $7.6 million in Encino, Los Angeles, when he became a Dodger.[139]
As a member of the Red Sox, Betts became known for his necklaces. One was a gift from a 13-year-old fan, given to Betts during spring training in 2018 prior to his AL Batting Championship, MVP Award and World Series championship.[140] Betts continued wearing the necklace after being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers, a season which culminated in his second World Championship.[141]
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- ^ @SoxNotes (November 14, 2019). "Red Sox' 2019 AL MVP Finishes" (Tweet). Retrieved November 14, 2019 – via Twitter.
- ^ Gurnick, Ken (February 10, 2020). "Mookie Betts is officially on his way to LA". MLB.com. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
- ^ "Dodgers sign 2018 AL MVP Mookie Betts to a 12-Year contract". Dodgers.com. MLB Advanced Media. July 22, 2020. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
- ^ Passan, Jeff (July 22, 2020). "Sources: Mookie Betts to get $392M over 13 years from Dodgers". ESPN. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
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- ^ "Dodgers: Mookie Betts Confirms Once and for All He's Not Vegan". February 17, 2023.
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- ^ Snehanjali, M (August 3, 2021). "Mookie Betts is Married? Get All Details About This Star Baseball Player's Life..." Insta Chronicles. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
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- ^ Hamilton, Mae (November 10, 2020). "Inside Mookie Betts' $7.6 Million Encino Mansion". Retrieved August 26, 2021.
- ^ Grossfeld, Stan (October 26, 2018). "The story behind Mookie Betts's unusual necklace". Boston Globe. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
- ^ Smith, Brook (August 18, 2018). "Dodgers: Why Mookie Betts Wears That Necklace Every Game". Dodgers Nation. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
External links
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet
- Mookie Betts on X
- 1992 births
- Living people
- African-American baseball players
- American bowling players
- American League All-Stars
- American League batting champions
- American League Most Valuable Player Award winners
- Baseball players from Nashville, Tennessee
- Boston Red Sox players
- Gold Glove Award winners
- Greenville Drive players
- Los Angeles Dodgers players
- Lowell Spinners players
- Major League Baseball outfielders
- Major League Baseball second basemen
- National League All-Stars
- Pawtucket Red Sox players
- People from Brentwood, Tennessee
- Sportspeople from the Nashville metropolitan area
- Portland Sea Dogs players
- Salem Red Sox players
- Silver Slugger Award winners
- Surprise Saguaros players
- 21st-century African-American sportspeople
- 2023 World Baseball Classic players