Career Timeline of Mookie Betts: Major Achievements and Milestones

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

Mookie Betts is a highly decorated MLB player currently with the Los Angeles Dodgers, having previously starred for the Boston Red Sox. A versatile player known for his exceptional fielding and hitting, Betts has earned eight All-Star selections, seven Silver Slugger Awards, and six Gold Glove Awards. He has won three World Series championships and secured the American League MVP award in 2018. Betts is also recognized as one of the most valuable players in baseball, ranking second in Wins Above Replacement (WAR) among active position players. He represents the United States in international baseball.

Sections (4)

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

2011: Jacoby Ellsbury joins 30-30 club

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

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: Drafted by the Red Sox and signed contract

In 2011, the Boston Red Sox selected Mookie Betts in the fifth round of the Major League Baseball draft. He then signed 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: Dustin Pedroia contract extension

In 2013, Dustin Pedroia signed an eight-year, $110 million contract extension with the Red Sox, leading to speculation that the Red Sox would groom Betts for a new position.

2013: Reached base streak begins

In 2013, Mookie Betts started a consecutive game streak of reaching base. From 2013 to 2014, Betts reached base in 66 straight regular-season games plus five playoff games for a combined streak of 71 games. Because official baseball streak records do not include playoff games, Betts' streak has been listed at 66 games.

2013: Played for Greenville Drive

Mookie Betts started the 2013 season with the Greenville Drive. In 76 games, he batted .296 and was selected to the South Atlantic League All-Star Game.

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

On July 9, 2013, Mookie Betts was promoted to the Salem Red Sox. 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

Since mid-May 2014, Mookie Betts started to play outfield in addition to second base.

June 28, 2014: Promoted to the Red Sox

On June 28, 2014, Mookie Betts was promoted to the Boston Red Sox. He had previously been selected for the All-Star Futures Game, but was replaced following his promotion to the Major Leagues.

2014: Split Season Between AA, AAA, and MLB

During the 2014 season, Mookie Betts split his time fairly evenly between AA, AAA, and MLB, playing 52 major league games. He performed well for the Red Sox, hitting .291 with five home runs, and played over half his innings in center field.

2014: Reached base streak ends

From 2013 to 2014, Mookie Betts reached base in 66 straight regular-season games plus five playoff games for a combined streak of 71 games. Because official baseball streak records do not include playoff games, Betts' streak has been listed at 66 games.

2014: Hit first career grand slam

In 2014, Mookie Betts hit his first career grand slam against Rays pitcher Chris Archer in a Red Sox victory at Tropicana Field. He was the youngest Sox player to hit a grand slam in 49 years. Manager John Farrell announced Betts would play second base "fairly regularly" following injuries to regular second basemen Dustin Pedroia and Brock Holt.

2014: MLB Debut

In the 2014 season, Mookie Betts made his MLB debut, playing both second base and outfield for the Red Sox. He also became the Red Sox center fielder in 2014.

2014: Started season with Portland Sea Dogs

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

April 6, 2015: Hit home run on Opening Day

On April 6, 2015, the Opening Day for the Boston Red Sox against the Philadelphia Phillies, 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.

April 13, 2015: Exciting performance at Fenway Park

On April 13, 2015, in 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.

September 12, 2016: Streak of consecutive plate appearances without a strikeout begins

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

2016: Moved to Right Field

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

2016: All-Star selection and AL Player of the Month

In 2016, Mookie Betts was selected to the MLB All-Star Game for the first time. He was also named the AL Player of the Month for July. On September 20, Betts became the first player to reach 200 hits during the 2016 MLB season.

2016: AL East Division Champions

In 2016, the Red Sox clinched the AL East Division, finishing the season 93–69. However, they were swept by the Cleveland Indians in the ALDS. Mookie Betts was named Wilson Sporting Goods' Defensive Player of the Year and finished as the runner-up for the American League MVP Award.

April 19, 2017: Streak of consecutive plate appearances without a strikeout ends

On April 19, 2017, Mookie Betts' streak of 129 consecutive plate appearances without a strikeout ended when Francisco Liriano of the Toronto Blue Jays struck him out.

July 2, 2017: Tied MLB record

On July 2, 2017, Mookie Betts tied an MLB record when he recorded eight RBIs from the leadoff slot in a 15–1 rout of the Blue Jays. He also received his second American League All-Star Game selection on the same day.

2017: Contract renewal with the Red Sox

Prior to the 2017 season, Mookie 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: Compared to Mike Trout

On April 17, 2018, Nick Cafardo published an article comparing Mookie Betts to Mike Trout. On the same night, Betts hit three home runs in a win over Trout's Los Angeles Angels, tying him with Ted Williams for the most three-homer games in Red Sox history.

2018: Batting order switch announcement

Before the 2019 season, manager Alex Cora stated that 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 MVP, Silver Slugger, Gold Glove, Batting Title and World Series in same season

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

2018: Named American League MVP

In 2018, Mookie Betts was named the Most Valuable Player in the American League. He had an exceptional season, also becoming a three-time World Series champion, a six-time Gold Glove Award recipient, and a seven-time Silver Slugger Award winner.

2018: Salary Arbitration

In 2018, Mookie Betts went through salary arbitration, ultimately being awarded a $10.5 million salary for the season.

2018: Leading MLB in multiple statistics and achievements

In 2018, by May 21, Mookie Betts led the major league with 15 home runs. He also led MLB in batting average, slugging percentage, OPS, total bases, extra-base hits, doubles, runs scored, runs created, and OPS+. Additionally, he led Boston with 11 stolen bases, ranking third in MLB. His 3.8 WAR was second only to Trout in the majors, contributing significantly to the Red Sox's strong 32–15 start.

2019: Salary agreement and return to lead-off hitter

In 2019, Betts and the Red Sox agreed to a $20 million salary, avoiding arbitration. Although initially slated to bat second, by June, manager Alex Cora returned Betts to the leadoff hitter position. By the end of June, Betts had a .261 average with 13 home runs and 37 RBIs and was selected as a reserve outfielder to the 2019 All-Star Game.

2019: Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Awards

In 2019, Mookie Betts appeared in 150 games with a .295 average, 29 home runs, and 80 RBIs. He had a 15 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) rating and the best fielding percentage among right fielders. After the season, Betts was awarded his fourth consecutive Gold Glove and his third Silver Slugger, finishing eighth in AL MVP voting.

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: Reaching 1,000 MLB Career Hits

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

2020: Salary agreement with the Red Sox

In 2020, Mookie Betts and the Red Sox agreed to a $27 million salary for the upcoming season before he was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

2020: World Series Championship and Gold Glove Award

In 2020, Mookie Betts finished the season with a .292 batting average, 16 home runs, and 39 RBIs. He helped the Dodgers win the World Series. Betts was awarded his fifth consecutive Gold Glove and his fourth Silver Slugger and finished second in NL MVP voting.

2020: Traded to the Dodgers

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

2021: Selected to the National League All-Star Team

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

January 2022: Movie Production Agreement

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 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 Appearance 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. He played in 142 games for the Dodgers, batting .269 with a career-high 35 home runs and 82 RBIs.

August 7, 2023: Tying Major League Record for Grand Slams as Lead-off 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: Playing second base and shortstop

In 2023, due to injuries among the Dodgers infielders, Mookie Betts played significantly at second base and made his first career appearance as a shortstop.

2024: Third World Series Championship and Silver Slugger Award

In 2024, Mookie Betts batted .222 in the NLDS and .346 in the NLCS. He batted .278 in the World Series, contributing key plays in the deciding game, winning his third World Series championship. He also won his seventh Silver Slugger award as an utility player.

2024: Starting Shortstop and Return to Right Field

In 2024, Mookie Betts was initially slated to become the Dodgers full-time second baseman. However, due to defensive issues with Gavin Lux, Betts was announced as the starting shortstop on March 8. He then fractured his left hand on June 16. He returned from the injured list on August 12, with the Dodgers announcing that Betts would return to right field for the rest of the season.