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Boston Red Sox: The greatness of Mookie Betts bows out with grace

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 20: Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox runs back to the dugout after grounding out against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on September 20, 2019 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 20: Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox runs back to the dugout after grounding out against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on September 20, 2019 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
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Former Boston Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts heralds his time in Boston after blockbuster trade that sent him to the L.A. Dodgers.

Will fans ever forgive the Boston Red Sox organization for trading Mookie Betts?

Will we look back at this deal in decades to come as the curse of Mookie Betts the same way generations before us believed in the curse of Babe Ruth?

Betts has a long way to go in his career before he can be compared to Babe Ruth, but just entering his prime, he is certainly one of the top 5 players in the major leagues and may be considered the best before his time is over.

An MVP, a World Series Championship, multiple Gold Glove awards.  It was just getting started for Mookie Betts in a Boston Red Sox uniform.  But that dreaded luxury tax threshold and a fear that he would not re-sign in Boston has Betts taking his talents to Hollywood where his star will definitely shine bright in the National League in Dodger blue.

As for what the Red Sox got in return.  Well, perhaps either or both of Alex Verdugo and Jeter Down will turn into stars like Mookie Betts.  It’s going to take that to feel okay about the blockbuster deal.  If and when that happens, then it’s going to take keeping those players for fans to have faith in this organization again when it comes to young talent and paying that young talent.

Perhaps that faith will be restored sooner rather than later when it comes to young, rising star Rafael Devers.

Until then, Red Sox fans will wallow in temporary misery with the departure of a player kicking down the doors of superstardom somewhere else.  A homegrown talent who is going to wreak havoc in the league for many more years to come and possibly win another World Series championship or two or three.

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While we will never know if the Red Sox actually had a chance of locking up Betts long-term, the outstanding outfielder will always have gratitude towards the organization where he started the memoir of his big league success and certainly some great memories.

"“I have a lot of memories in Boston,” Betts told reporters, as transcribed by WEEI.  “Obviously, I’d say the most fun is the World Series.  But, you know, from the debuts to ins and outs of everyday being around Boston, I have so many memories.  That was a great chapter in my life for sure.”"

And a great chapter for Boston Red Sox fans for sure.

While there may not be another Mookie Betts representing that Red Sox uniform, stars will come and go in Boston for years to come.  Some will be celebrated, and some will be forgotten by fans.

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But, the mark of a true marriage between an athlete and a city are those winning moments of success.  The celebration of rising to the top through the barrels of failures.  From 2011 to 2019, Mookie Betts symbolized that rise in being the very best.

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