History of Mookie Betts in Timeline

Markus Lynn "Mookie" Betts is a highly accomplished American professional baseball player currently with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Known for his exceptional fielding and hitting, he plays as an outfielder, shortstop, and second baseman. Betts is an eight-time All-Star, seven-time Silver Slugger, and six-time Gold Glove winner. He was the American League MVP in 2018 and has won four World Series championships, including one with the Red Sox and another with the Dodgers. Betts consistently ranks high in Wins Above Replacement (WAR), solidifying his status as one of the game's top players. He also represents the United States in international competition.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

October 7, 1992: Mookie Betts Born

Markus Lynn "Mookie" Betts was born on October 7, 1992. He is an American professional baseball player.

Others born on this day/year

1997: Minor League Baseball Lacking Data

In 2013 and 2014, Betts reached base in 66 straight regular-season games, plus five playoff games, for a combined streak of 71 games, but Minor League Baseball lacks data on the statistic before 1997.

2004: Terry Shumpert worked with Betts

In 2004, Terry Shumpert, Mookie Betts' first cousin once removed, worked extensively with Betts during Shumpert's final season of professional baseball with the Triple-A Nashville Sounds.

2010: Tennessee Boys Bowler of the Year

In 2010, Mookie Betts was named the Tennessee Boys Bowler of the Year with a high score of 290.

2010: Committed to University of Tennessee

In 2010, during his junior year at John Overton High School, Mookie Betts batted .548 with 24 steals and committed to the University of Tennessee on a baseball scholarship in November.

2011: Drafted by the Red Sox

In 2011, Betts was drafted by the Red Sox.

2011: Drafted and Signed with Red Sox

In 2011, the Boston Red Sox selected Betts in the fifth round of the Major League Baseball draft, and he signed with them, foregoing his commitment to the University of Tennessee, for a $750,000 signing bonus.

2011: Ellsbury Joins 30-30 Club

On September 26, Mookie 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.

2012: Played for Lowell Spinners

In 2012, Mookie Betts batted .267 and stole 20 bases in 71 games for the short season Lowell Spinners of the New York–Penn League.

2013: Reached Base in 66 Straight Games

In 2013 and 2014, Betts reached base in 66 straight regular-season games, plus five playoff games, for a combined streak of 71 games. The official baseball streak records do not include playoff games.

2013: Season with Greenville Drive and All-Star Selection

In 2013, Mookie Betts started the season with the Greenville Drive, batting .296 with a 19-game hitting streak and was selected to the South Atlantic League All-Star Game.

2013: Promoted to Salem Red Sox and Named Offensive Player of the Year

In 2013, Mookie Betts was promoted to the Salem Red Sox and later named Offensive Player of the Year and Breakout Player of the Year in the Boston minor league system. He was also a second-team inclusion on the Baseball America Minor League All-Star Team.

2013: Started Playing Outfield

In mid-May 2013, Mookie Betts began playing the outfield in addition to second base. Dustin Pedroia signed an eight-year contract extension with the Red Sox, leading to speculation that Betts would move to a new position.

2014: Reached Base in 66 Straight Games

2014: MLB Debut

Mookie Betts made his MLB debut in the 2014 season, splitting time between second base and the outfield for the Red Sox. He became the team's center fielder that same year.

2014: Promoted to Pawtucket Red Sox

Mookie Betts opened the 2014 season with the Portland Sea Dogs and was promoted to the Pawtucket Red Sox on June 3, 2014, where he batted .322.

2014: Split Season Among Double-A, Triple-A, and MLB

Mookie Betts split the 2014 season fairly evenly among Double-A, Triple-A, and MLB, playing 52 major league games and hitting .291 with five home runs for the Red Sox.

2014: First Career Grand Slam and Played Second Base

On August 29, 2014, Mookie Betts hit his first career grand slam. On September 11, manager John Farrell announced that Betts would play second base "fairly regularly".

April 6, 2015: Hit Home Run on Opening Day

On April 6, 2015, Opening Day for the Red Sox, Mookie Betts 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.

2015: Named American League Player of the Week

In 2015, Mookie Betts was named the American League Player of the Week for the week ending on June 21, batting .581 with two home runs and seven RBI. He ended the 2015 season with a .291 batting average, 92 runs scored, 77 RBIs, 18 home runs and 21 stolen bases.

September 12, 2016: Streak Without Striking Out Begins

From September 12, 2016, through to April 19, 2017, Mookie Betts went 129 consecutive plate appearances without striking out.

2016: Moved to Right Field

In 2016, Mookie Betts moved to right field for the Boston Red Sox.

2016: All-Star Selection, AL Player of the Month, and 200 Hits

In 2016, Mookie Betts was selected to the MLB All-Star Game, named the AL Player of the Month for July, and became the first player to reach 200 hits during the 2016 MLB season. He finished the season with a .318 batting average, 214 hits, 122 runs scored, 31 home runs, and 113 RBI.

2016: Won Second Consecutive Gold Glove Award

Mookie Betts won his second consecutive Gold Glove Award in 2016.

2016: Contract Renewed by Red Sox

Prior to the 2017 season, Betts and the Red Sox were unable to come to terms on a contract. The Red Sox renewed Betts' contract with a salary of $950,000, up from $566,000 in 2016.

April 19, 2017: Streak Without Striking Out Ends

From September 12, 2016, through to April 19, 2017, Mookie Betts went 129 consecutive plate appearances without striking out. His streak ended against Francisco Liriano of the Toronto Blue Jays.

2017: Bowled a Perfect Game

In 2017, outside of baseball, Mookie Betts bowled a perfect game in the World Series of Bowling.

2017: Contract Renewed by Red Sox

Prior to the 2017 season, Betts and the Red Sox were unable to come to terms on a contract. The Red Sox renewed Betts' contract with a salary of $950,000.

April 17, 2018: Comparison to Mike Trout and Three Home Runs

On April 17, 2018, Mookie Betts was compared to Mike Trout in an article by The Boston Globe. That same night, Betts hit three home runs in a game against Trout's Los Angeles Angels, tying him with Ted Williams for the most three-homer games in Red Sox history.

November 2018: Welcomed first child

In November 2018, Mookie Betts and his wife welcomed their first child.

2018: MVP, Silver Slugger, Gold Glove, Batting Title, and World Series Winner

In 2018, Mookie Betts became the first player in MLB history to win the Most Valuable Player award, Silver Slugger award, Gold Glove award, batting title, and World Series in the same season.

2018: Named American League MVP

In 2018, Mookie Betts was named the Most Valuable Player in the American League.

2018: Salary Arbitration and Contract Extension Offer

In 2018, Mookie Betts won his salary arbitration case, receiving a $10.5 million salary. He reportedly turned down an eight-year, $200 million contract extension offer from the Red Sox.

2018: Usual Batting Order

Mookie Betts and the Red Sox agreed on a $20 million salary for the 2019 season, avoiding arbitration. Before the 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.

2019: Agreed to $20 Million Salary and Batting Order Change

Mookie Betts and the Red Sox agreed on a $20 million salary for the 2019 season, avoiding arbitration. Alex Cora stated he would use Andrew Benintendi as the team's leadoff hitter, with Betts batting second.

January 2020: Agreed to salary with Red Sox

In January 2020, Mookie Betts agreed to a $27 million salary with the Boston Red Sox.

February 10, 2020: Traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers

On February 10, 2020, Mookie Betts, along with David Price and $48 million, was traded from the Red Sox to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Alex Verdugo, Connor Wong, and Jeter Downs.

November 2020: Purchased mansion in Encino

In November 2020, after joining the Dodgers, Mookie Betts purchased a mansion in Encino, Los Angeles, for $7.6 million.

2020: Traded to the Dodgers and Signed Extension

In 2020, Mookie Betts was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers and signed a 12-year, $365 million extension with the team through the 2032 season.

2020: Won World Series with Los Angeles

Mookie Betts won the 2020 World Series with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

January 2021: Announced engagement

In January 2021, Mookie Betts and his wife announced their engagement.

December 1, 2021: Married his wife

Mookie Betts and his wife got married on December 1, 2021, in Palos Verdes Estates, California.

2021: Switched to Vegan diet

In 2021, Mookie Betts stated that he had switched to a vegan diet.

January 2022: Signed movie production agreement with Propagate Content

In January 2022, Mookie Betts signed a movie production agreement with Propagate Content.

August 2022: Jackie Robinson Film preview

In August 2022, Mookie Betts participated in the production of "Jackie Robinson: Get to the Bag", a film focused on the life of Jackie Robinson, which was shown in a preview event at a New York museum.

2023: Confirmed he is no longer vegan

By 2023, Mookie Betts confirmed that he is no longer vegan.

2023: Played in the World Baseball Classic

In 2023, Mookie Betts played for the U.S. national team in the World Baseball Classic (WBC), hitting .313 with 1 RBI. He grounded into a double play against Shohei Ohtani in the 9th inning of the championship game loss to Japan, later calling the WBC "the best baseball experience".

2023: Played various infield positions due to injuries

In 2023, Mookie Betts played significant time at second base and made his first career appearance at shortstop for the Dodgers, due to injuries and underperformance among the team's infielders.

2023: Second child born

In 2023, Mookie Betts' second child was born.

2024: Injured and changed positions

In 2024, Mookie Betts was initially slated to play shortstop for the Dodgers, but after fracturing his left hand on June 16 due to a fastball, he returned to right field on August 12 for the remainder of the season after recovering from the injured list.

2024: Won World Series with Los Angeles

Mookie Betts won the 2024 World Series with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

2025: Played exclusively as a shortstop

In 2025, Mookie Betts played exclusively as a shortstop for the Dodgers, struggling offensively for most of the season. He played 150 games, slashing .258/.326/.406 with 20 home runs and 82 RBI and improved in the last couple of months.

2025: Won Roberto Clemente Award

In 2025, Mookie Betts was recognized for his defensive skills at shortstop, earning a Fielding Bible Award and becoming a Gold Glove finalist. Additionally, he received the Roberto Clemente Award for his charitable work off the field.