Boston Red Sox 100 game Report Card: Grading a World Series contender
By Gio Rivera
Mookie Betts (The Golden Child)
I mean it’s true. Let’s take it back to when Mookie Betts got called up to the big leagues.
In case you forgot, Mookie wasn’t a outfielder coming up. He made his debut season playing second base for Boston and soon converted into one of baseball’s top outfielders. Back-to-back Gold Glove Awards in 2016 and 17 tell the story. We saw the promising signs of Betts flourishing in the outfield early too.
Remember in 2015?
September 25th Betts capped off a Rich Hill complete game shutout of the Baltimore Orioles; by robbing Chris Davis of a 2-run home run. That season especially, Davis was among the biggest power threats in baseball. In fact he finished that 2015 year with a massive 47 home run total. His second highest total of his 12-year career.
More from Chowder and Champions
- 3 Midseason Chaim Bloom Decisions That Have Killed the 2023 Red Sox
- 10 Patriots Who Will Be Cut by Tuesday’s Roster Deadline
- MLB Screws Red Sox Fans With Broadcast for Mookie Betts Return
- 3 Most Underpaid Celtics Heading Into the 2023 Season
- Red Sox Continue Rollercoaster Season With Massive Win
Since his first full big league career, Betts has earned All-Star honors in his next three seasons. Becoming not just the talk of the town, but baseball. A sport that not too long ago was reigned by Bryce Harper and Mike Trout. Now we’ve got Mookie Betts in the conversation. He finished runner up for league MVP in 2016. Talks that will re arrive on the streets of Fenway come October.
We thought Dustin Pedroia was a threat inside. Remember those days? The 07′ Champ, Rookie of the Year, and 08′ MVP. Pedroia was impossible to get a high and inside fast-ball by. Capping off 2008 with a .326/.376/.493 season.
Now try getting an inside fast-ball pass Mookie. It’s more than likely to see that ball well over the left fielders head in a span of seconds. Obviously the unique upper cut swing isn’t seen in Betts, but the threat is there. Coming from a guy who claims he isn’t a power hitter. Hard to agree with that when Betts sit 1 homer shy of his last season total; and we’re only in July.
Boston fans had only caught glimpses of Betts’ personality emerging and being seen during the game. Something we first saw this year in Spring Training. During a pre-season games against the Cubs, Betts was mic’d up while in right field. Kris Bryant of Chicago then hit a ball out of Betts’ reached to which he replied “I ain’t getting this one boys”.
Believe it or not, that’s it. Little thing’s like that help with the ongoing “self marketing issue in baseball today. An issue that leaves two-time MVP, Mike Trout to be equally as recognizable to a Brooklyn Nets player. The man who finished last season averaging 5.9 points and 4.8 rebounds.
Have you guessed it yet?
If not I can’t blame you. That’s right we’re talking about Kenneth Faried. It’ll take the modern day American that can recognize a player who’s career ppg average is 11.4, to recognize a once in a lifetime 26-year old phenom. Granted, Trout plays for a losing environment and doesn’t have the opportunity that some around the league do. Just look at Aaron Judge. 50+ home run rookie year later and and Judge is the hottest selling jersey in baseball.
However we don’t see that issue here in the case of Betts. Like I said before, that personality aspect is absolutely rising for Betts. We saw it right before the All-Star break. It only took one swing of the bat, however it was the biggest moment that’s defined this Boston Red Sox team thus far.
The unforgettable thirteen pitch duel against Toronto’s J.A Happ. Betts’ reaction lifted the Fenway crowd like a postseason walk off home run in October. Something you don’t see very often from a player you don’t see in baseball often.
Current stats: .351 BA/24 HRs/52 RBIs/.437 OBP/.663 SLG/1.105 OPS.