At 32 years old, Mookie Betts is determined to demonstrate his capabilities as a star shortstop on a World Series-winning team. “This is not like a vengeance tour,” the former Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder explained to USA TODAY Sports. “It’s about proving a lot of people wrong. But more than anything, it’s about proving myself right. So many years, I just didn’t believe in myself.”
Betts’ impressive resume includes eight All-Star appearances as a right fielder, six Gold Glove awards, seven Silver Slugger awards, an MVP title, and a batting championship. However, his most cherished accomplishment remains his three World Series championships.
Betts is well aware of his history at the shortstop position. He developed his skills as a shortstop throughout his youth and was drafted by the Boston Red Sox with the intention of playing him at shortstop. However, his professional career took a different path, as he did not complete a full season at shortstop with the Red Sox. The team eventually transitioned him to second base, and ultimately, to right field, where he became a star.
Los Angeles Dodgers: More Proof Mookie Betts Is Crazy, Crazy Good
Betts’s move has been roundly accepted as a plausible switch to make, with the closest viewpoint that could be considered criticism being a wait-and-see approach. But San Diego Padres Gold Glove third baseman Manny Machado takes a different stance;
“I don’t know why he’d want to do that,” Machado said. “I don’t know, man, it’s crazy what he’s trying to do. He’s a Gold Glover. He’s such a good outfielder. Why go play such a demanding position? It takes so much of a toll on your body.”
The reason for the switch is because Mookie is Mookie, no mortal human baseball player.
“Let’s put it this way, I don’t know of anything he can’t do,” said San Diego Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts, his former teammate with the Red Sox. “This guy is an athlete, man. He can bowl. He can golf. He can play basketball. He can do it all.”
“Mookie is Mookie, he’s the best athlete I’ve ever seen,” Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy says. “He looks great out there. He’s starting to look more natural.
“Mookie is just different. This kind of challenge is really fun for him. He really enjoys it. And when you look at how he approaches it, having so much fun trying to be as good as he can get, there’s no question in anyone’s mind here that he’s going to be a very good defensive shortstop.”