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 decorated MLB player currently with the Los Angeles Dodgers, formerly with the Boston Red Sox. He's an eight-time All-Star, seven-time Silver Slugger, six-time Gold Glove winner, and a three-time World Series champion. Notably, he was the American League MVP in 2018. He is also second in Wins Above Replacement (WAR) among active position players. Betts also hosts a podcast called 'On Base' on Bleacher Report.

Sections (4)

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

2010: High School Baseball Success and College Commitment

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

2011: Drafted by the Red Sox

In 2011, Mookie Betts was drafted by the Boston Red Sox, marking the beginning of his professional baseball career.

2011: Selected in MLB Draft

In 2011, the Boston Red Sox selected Mookie Betts in the fifth round of the Major League Baseball draft, leading him to rescind his commitment to the University of Tennessee and sign a $750,000 contract with the Red Sox organization.

2012: Played for Lowell Spinners

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

2013: Played for Greenville Drive

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

2013: Promoted to Salem Red Sox

On July 9, 2013, Mookie Betts was promoted to the Salem Red Sox, completing the season with a combined .314 average, 15 home runs, and 38 steals between Greenville and Salem. He was named Offensive Player of the Year and Breakout Player of the Year in the Boston minor league system.

May 2014: Started Playing Outfield

Beginning in May 2014, Mookie Betts started playing outfield in addition to second base, as Dustin Pedroia had signed an eight-year contract extension with the Red Sox in 2013.

June 28, 2014: Promoted to the Red Sox

On June 28, 2014, Mookie Betts was promoted to the Boston Red Sox. He was selected for the All-Star Futures Game but was replaced due to the promotion.

2014: Hit First Career Grand Slam

In 2014, Mookie Betts hit his first career grand slam against Chris Archer of the Tampa Bay Rays. At 21 years old, he became the youngest Red Sox player to hit a grand slam in 49 years. Later, manager John Farrell announced that Betts would play second base regularly due to injuries.

2014: Split Season Between AA, AAA, and MLB

In 2014, Mookie Betts split the season fairly evenly between AA, AAA, and MLB, playing 52 major league games and hitting .291 with five home runs for the Red Sox.

2014: Started with Portland Sea Dogs

Mookie Betts began the 2014 season with the Portland Sea Dogs, batting .355 in 54 games and leading the Eastern League through June 2. On June 3, he was promoted to the Pawtucket Red Sox.

2014: MLB Debut

Mookie Betts made his Major League Baseball debut in the 2014 season with the Boston Red Sox, playing both second base and outfield positions.

April 6, 2015: Hit Home Run on Opening Day

On April 6, 2015, which was Opening Day for the Boston Red Sox, Mookie Betts hit a home run in his second at-bat, becoming the third youngest player to do so for the Red Sox.

April 13, 2015: Exciting Performance at Home Opener

On April 13, 2015, during the home opener at Fenway Park against the Washington Nationals, Mookie Betts robbed Bryce Harper of a home run, stole two bases on one play, and hit a home run into the Monster seats in the first three innings.

2016: Moved to Right Field

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

2016: Selected to MLB All-Star Game

In 2016, Mookie Betts was selected to his first MLB All-Star Game, starting in right field and going 1-for-2 with a single and an RBI. He also led MLB with 67 multi-hit games.

2016: Red Sox Clinched AL East Division

In 2016, The Boston Red Sox finished the season 93-69, clinching the AL East Division. Wilson Sporting Goods named Mookie Betts it's Defensive Player of the Year. Betts was also a finalist for the American League MVP Award, finishing as the runner-up to Mike Trout.

July 2, 2017: Tied MLB Record with Eight RBIs

On July 2, 2017, in a regular season game against Toronto, Mookie Betts tied an MLB record by recording eight RBIs from the leadoff slot in a 15-1 win. He was also selected for his second American League All-Star Game the same day.

2018: Batting Order Change

Before the 2019 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.

2018: First in MLB History to Win Multiple Awards

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 all in the same season.

2018: 30-30 Club

In 2018, Mookie Betts stole his 30th base of the season on September 26, becoming only the second player in Red Sox history to join the 30–30 club.

2018: Named Most Valuable Player

In 2018, Mookie Betts was named the Most Valuable Player in the American League. He has previously played in MLB for the Boston Red Sox and is currently playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

2018: MVP, Gold Glove, Silver Slugger, and World Series

Mookie Betts finished the 2018 season with a .346 batting average and helped the Red Sox win the World Series. He won his third consecutive Gold Glove, the Heart & Hustle Award, and was named the American League MVP on November 15, becoming the only AL player to win the World Series, a Gold Glove award, a Silver Slugger award, and the AL MVP in the same season.

2019: Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Awards

In 2019, Mookie Betts appeared in 150 games, batting .295 with a .915 OPS, 135 runs, 29 home runs, 80 RBIs, 40 doubles, and 16 stolen bases. After the season, he was awarded his fourth consecutive Gold Glove and his third Silver Slugger. He finished eighth in AL MVP voting.

2019: Three-Homer Game Against the Yankees

On July 26, 2019, Mookie Betts had the fifth three-homer game of his career, hitting a home run in each of his first three at bats against James Paxton of the Yankees.

February 10, 2020: Traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers

On February 10, 2020, the Red Sox traded Mookie Betts, David Price and cash considerations to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for Alex Verdugo, Connor Wong and Jeter Downs.

August 27, 2020: Reaches 1,000 MLB Career Hits

On August 27, 2020, Mookie Betts reached 1,000 MLB career hits.

2020: Traded to the Dodgers

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

2020: Won World Series with Los Angeles

In 2020, Mookie Betts won the World Series during his tenure with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

2020: Second World Series Championship and Awards

In the 2020 season, Mookie Betts helped the Dodgers win the World Series, earning his second championship. He was awarded his fifth consecutive Gold Glove and his fourth Silver Slugger, finishing second in NL MVP voting.

2020: Salary Agreement

Mookie Betts and the Red Sox agreed to a $27 million salary for the 2020 season.

2021: All-Star Selection and Season Performance

In 2021, Mookie Betts was selected to the National League All-Star Team but did not play due to injury. He played in 122 games for the Dodgers, batting .264 with 23 home runs and 58 RBIs.

August 2022: Jackie Robinson Film Preview

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

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2022: All-Star Game and Career-High Home Runs

In 2022, Mookie Betts was selected as a starting outfielder for the National League All-Star Team, marking his sixth appearance at the MLB All-Star game. He played in 142 games for the Dodgers, batting .269 with a career-high 35 home runs and 82 RBIs.

August 7, 2023: Fifth Career Grand Slam as Leadoff Batter

On August 7, 2023, Mookie Betts hit his fifth career grand slam home run as a lead-off batter, tying a Major League record.

2023: Versatility on Display

In 2023, Mookie Betts played significant time at second base due to injuries among the Dodgers infielders and made his first career appearance as a shortstop against the Chicago Cubs, showcasing his versatility.

2024: World Series Championship and Silver Slugger Award

In 2024, Mookie Betts batted .278 in the World Series against the New York Yankees and contributed key plays in the deciding game, helping the Dodgers win. He won his seventh Silver Slugger award, his first as an utility player.

2024: Move to Shortstop and Hand Injury

In 2024, Mookie Betts was initially planned to be the Dodgers' full-time second baseman, but became the starting shortstop due to poor defense by Gavin Lux. On June 16, Betts fractured his left hand after being hit by a fastball and was placed on the injured list. He returned on August 12, moving back to right field.