Career Timeline of Mookie Betts: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Mookie Betts made an impact.

Markus Lynn "Mookie" Betts is a highly accomplished American professional baseball player currently with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Known for his versatility, playing as an outfielder, shortstop, and second baseman, Betts debuted with the Boston Red Sox. His career highlights include eight All-Star selections, seven Silver Slugger Awards, six Gold Glove Awards, and four World Series championships. In 2018, he was named the American League's Most Valuable Player. Betts is also recognized as one of the leading active players in terms of Wins Above Replacement (WAR). He represents the United States internationally.

Sections (4)

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

2010: High School Stats and College Commitment

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

2011: Drafted by the Red Sox

In 2011, Betts was drafted by the Red Sox.

2011: 30-30 club

In 2011, Jacoby Ellsbury was the first to join Red Sox history to join the 30-30 club.

2012: Played for Lowell Spinners

In 2012, Mookie Betts played for the Lowell Spinners, batting .267 and stealing 20 bases in 71 games.

2013: Season with Greenville Drive

In 2013, Betts started the season with the Greenville Drive, batting .296 and being selected to the South Atlantic League All-Star Game.

2013: Promotion to Salem Red Sox and Accolades

In 2013, Betts was promoted to the Salem Red Sox, batting .341 in 51 games. He was also named Offensive Player of the Year and Breakout Player of the Year in the Boston minor league system.

2013: Outfield Practice

In mid-May 2013, Betts began playing the outfield in addition to second base.

2014: MLB Season

In 2014, Betts split the season among Double-A, Triple-A, and MLB, playing 52 major league games for the Red Sox, hitting .291 with five home runs and playing primarily in center field.

2014: Started Season with Portland Sea Dogs, Promoted to Pawtucket Red Sox

In 2014, Mookie Betts began the season with the Portland Sea Dogs, batting .355 in 54 games, before being promoted to the Pawtucket Red Sox, where he batted .322.

2014: First Career Grand Slam

On August 29, 2014, Mookie Betts hit his first career grand slam against Chris Archer of the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field, becoming the youngest Red Sox player to do so in 49 years. In September 11, manager John Farrell announced that Betts would play second base 'fairly regularly'.

April 6, 2015: Home Run on Opening Day

On April 6, 2015, Mookie Betts hit a home run in his second at-bat on Opening Day for the Red Sox against the Philadelphia Phillies, becoming the third youngest player to achieve this feat.

2015: End of Season Stats

Mookie Betts ended the 2015 season with a .291 batting average, 92 runs scored, 77 RBIs, 18 home runs, and 21 stolen bases.

September 12, 2016: Strikeout Streak Started

On September 12, 2016, Mookie Betts began a streak of 129 consecutive plate appearances without striking out.

2016: Moved to Right Field

In 2016, Betts transitioned to playing right field for the Red Sox.

2016: All-Star Selection and Player of the Month

In 2016, Mookie Betts was selected to the MLB All-Star Game, his first. He was later named AL Player of the Month for July, and on September 20, 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 RBIs.

2016: Salary for 2016 season

The Red Sox renewed Betts' contract with a salary of $566,000 in 2016.

April 19, 2017: Strikeout Streak Ended

On April 19, 2017, Mookie Betts' streak of 129 consecutive plate appearances without striking out ended against Francisco Liriano of the Toronto Blue Jays.

2017: Contract Renewal

Prior to the 2017 season, the Red Sox renewed Betts' contract with a salary of $950,000, which was up from $566,000 in 2016 and the second-highest pre-arbitration salary in MLB history.

April 17, 2018: Comparison to Mike Trout and Three-Homer Game

On April 17, 2018, Mookie Betts was compared to Mike Trout in a Boston Globe article, and that same night, Betts hit three home runs against Trout's Los Angeles Angels.

2018: Usual 2018 Batting Order

In 2018, Andrew Benintendi served as the team's leadoff hitter, and Betts batted second.

2018: Historic Season

In 2018, 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: Salary Arbitration and Contract Offer

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

2019: Salary and Batting Order Changes

In 2019, Betts and the Red Sox agreed on a $20 million salary, avoiding arbitration. At the beginning of June, Cora announced that Betts would again be the team's leadoff hitter. On July 26, Betts had the fifth three-homer game of his career.

January 2020: Agreed to salary with Red Sox

In January 2020, Mookie Betts and the Boston Red Sox agreed to a $27 million salary for the upcoming season.

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.

2020: Traded to the Dodgers

In 2020, Mookie Betts was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers after six seasons with the Boston Red Sox.

January 2022: Signed movie production agreement with Propagate Content

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

August 2022: Preview event for Jackie Robinson film

In August 2022, a preview event was held at a New York museum for the film Jackie Robinson: Get to the Bag, which Betts participated in the production of.