Crimson Sox
“It is a particular child that did plenty of nice issues for the group.”
Friday night time will mark Mookie Betts’ first recreation again at Fenway Park for the reason that Crimson Sox dealt the famous person outfielder to the Dodgers in February 2020.
And although the 30-year-old Betts admitted earlier this week that he’s “nervous” about stepping to the plate in Boston for the primary time since Sept. 29, 2019, his previous supervisor, Alex Cora, believes that the previous Sox stalwart received’t have to fret about getting an icy reception from the Fenway Devoted.
“It ought to be a standing ovation,” supervisor Alex Cora stated of Betts’ reception, per Chris Smith of MassLive.com. “I’m clearly not going to inform the followers to get there by first pitch however they need to, to be sincere with you. As a result of it’s going to be a particular second.
“It is a particular child that did plenty of nice issues for the group not solely on the sector however off the sector, too. He’s an impactful participant. It simply so occurs he’s taking part in for the Dodgers now. However I feel for the sport, he’s changing into a type of guys that’s the face of the sport.”
Given the spectacular resume that Betts crafted over six seasons in Boston, something wanting applause on Friday night time will come as a shock, although Betts now dons Dodger blue.
The five-tool outfielder took house the AL MVP throughout a 2018 season that noticed Boston win a franchise-best 108 video games en path to a World Sequence title. Betts additionally captured 4 All-Star nods, 4 Gold Gloves, and 4 Silver Sluggers, to associate with a runner-up spot within the 2016 AL MVP voting behind Mike Trout.
Regardless that Betts ought to obtain a heat welcome again to Boston, Cora did acknowledge that he’ll possible give his former participant a tough time over his new media ventures in Los Angeles.
“Now he’s doing podcasts and all that stuff, sporting glasses and appearing like he’s a troublesome buyer,” Cora informed Smith. “I’ll discuss to him tomorrow about that. Yeah, I noticed the one with Kiké [Hernández’ yesterday. I mean come on. Save it. Let’s go. He’s hearing about it. But all joking aside, he’s great. And he’s in a good spot. His family is enjoying everything they’re doing on the West Coast.”
Beyond his new podcast, Betts has clearly enjoyed his tenure with the Dodgers as far as his on-field production is concerned.
Since landing in Los Angeles, Betts has slashed .279/.366/.542 with 108 home runs and 265 RBI over 437 career games with his new team.
He’s entering Friday’s reunion with the Red Sox on a heater, going 5-for-5 at the plate in a win over the Cleveland Guardians. The perennial All-Star is now in the midst of an 11-game hit streak, posting multi-hit performances in 12 of his 20 games so far in August.
Betts is one of the frontrunners for the NL MVP award in 2023, batting .310 with 34 home runs and 89 RBI over 120 games while playing Gold-Glove defense at both right field and second base.
Despite his impressive showing so far in his fourth full season with the Dodgers, Cora believes that Betts’ current campaign doesn’t come close to his MVP season in 2018 with Boston.
“Nah. This year is not even close,” Cora said. “.330 [batting average] with a 1.000 OPS, stealing bases, taking part in protection, setting the tempo for the very best workforce in baseball.”
Regardless that he’s having fun with his new chapter out on the West Coast, Betts did notice in an interview with Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe that he nonetheless chats with Cora as soon as per week.
“AC was an enormous a part of my life and nonetheless is,” Betts informed Abraham. “It’s not at all times baseball after we discuss, it’s about life and our households. He’s at all times going to be a good friend.”
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