Markus Lynn "Mookie" Betts is an American professional baseball player known for his exceptional skills as an outfielder, shortstop, and second baseman. He currently plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the United States national team, having previously played for the Boston Red Sox. Betts achieved a historic feat in 2018 while playing for the Red Sox, becoming the first MLB player to win the Most Valuable Player, Silver Slugger, Gold Glove, batting title, and World Series in a single season.
October 7, 1992: Birth of Mookie Betts
On October 7, 1992, Markus Lynn "Mookie" Betts was born. He would go on to become a professional baseball player.
1997: Minor League Records and Data Collection
Prior to 1997, Minor League Baseball lacked comprehensive data collection for certain statistics, including consecutive games reaching base. As a result, official records for this statistic only date back to 1997, highlighting the evolution of data analysis in the sport.
2004: Connection to Terry Shumpert
In 2004, during his final season in professional baseball, Terry Shumpert worked extensively with Mookie Betts. They are actually first cousins once removed, not uncle and nephew as some reports have suggested.
2010: Multi-Sport Athlete and Bowling Prowess
In 2010, besides his baseball talent, Mookie Betts excelled in basketball, earning MVP in his high school league. He was also recognized as the Tennessee Boys Bowler of the Year, showcasing his versatility and athleticism.
2010: High School Success and College Commitment
In 2010, during his junior year at John Overton High School, Mookie Betts showcased his skills in baseball, hitting .548 with 24 steals. His performance led him to commit to the University of Tennessee on a baseball scholarship.
2011: Signing with the Red Sox
Drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 2011, Mookie Betts decided to forgo his college commitment and embark on his professional baseball journey, signing a $750,000 contract with the team.
2011: Joining the 30-30 Club
In 2011, Mookie Betts stole his 30th base of the season, becoming only the second player in Red Sox history to join the 30–30 club, following Jacoby Ellsbury's achievement in the same year.
2011: Mookie Betts Drafted by the Red Sox
In 2011, Mookie Betts was drafted by the Boston Red Sox.
2012: Early Career in the Minor Leagues
In 2012, Mookie Betts showcased his skills in the minor leagues, playing for the Lowell Spinners. Primarily a shortstop, he demonstrated a knack for second base and speed on the basepaths, stealing 20 bases in 71 games.
2013: Promotion and Accolades in the Minors
Mookie Betts's strong performance in 2013 led to a promotion to the Salem Red Sox in the Carolina League. He continued to excel, earning recognition as Offensive Player of the Year and Breakout Player of the Year in the Red Sox's minor league system. He was also named to the Baseball America Minor League All-Star Team.
2013: Breakout Season with Greenville Drive
Mookie Betts began his 2013 season with the Greenville Drive, the Red Sox's Low-A affiliate. He impressed with a .296 batting average and a 19-game hitting streak, earning a spot in the South Atlantic League All-Star Game.
2013: Dustin Pedroia Contract Extension
In 2013, the Boston Red Sox secured their star second baseman, Dustin Pedroia, with an eight-year contract extension worth $110 million, signaling a long-term commitment to Pedroia at second base.
2013: Reaching Base Streak
Between 2013 and 2014, Mookie Betts showcased his exceptional ability to get on base, achieving a remarkable streak of reaching base in 66 consecutive regular-season games. This streak, combined with five playoff games, totaled an impressive 71 games.
May 2014: Transition to Outfield
Starting in mid-May 2014, Mookie Betts began playing outfield positions in addition to second base, marking a significant shift in his defensive assignments.
June 28, 2014: Call-Up to the Majors
Mookie Betts's impressive performance in the minors earned him a call-up to the Boston Red Sox on June 28, 2014.
2014: Reaching Base Streak
Between 2013 and 2014, Mookie Betts showcased his exceptional ability to get on base, achieving a remarkable streak of reaching base in 66 consecutive regular-season games. This streak, combined with five playoff games, totaled an impressive 71 games.
2014: Successful MLB Debut Season
In 2014, Mookie Betts split his time between the minors and the majors, playing 52 games for the Boston Red Sox. He made a strong impact, hitting .291 with five home runs and showcasing his versatility by playing over half his innings in center field.
2014: First Grand Slam and Positional Adjustments
In a game against the Tampa Bay Rays on August 29, 2014, Mookie Betts hit his first career grand slam off pitcher Chris Archer, making him the youngest Red Sox player to achieve this feat in 49 years. Despite playing primarily in the outfield, Betts also filled in at second base due to injuries.
2014: Dominance in Double-A and Promotion to Triple-A
Mookie Betts continued his rise through the minor leagues in 2014, starting with the Portland Sea Dogs in Double-A, where he led the Eastern League with a .355 batting average. His performance earned him a promotion to the Pawtucket Red Sox, the Triple-A affiliate.
2014: MLB Debut and Position Changes
Mookie Betts made his MLB debut with the Boston Red Sox in 2014, playing both second base and outfield.
April 6, 2015: Opening Day Home Run
On April 6, 2015, Mookie Betts kicked off the season with a bang, hitting a home run in his second at-bat on Opening Day against the Philadelphia Phillies. He became the third-youngest Red Sox player to hit a home run on Opening Day.
April 13, 2015: Memorable Home Opener Performance
On April 13, 2015, during the Red Sox's home opener against the Washington Nationals, Mookie Betts delivered a standout performance. He showcased his defensive prowess by robbing Bryce Harper of a home run and then stole two bases on a single play. Adding to his impressive display, he hit a home run into the iconic Green Monster.
June 21, 2015: AL Player of the Week Honors
For the week ending on June 21, 2015, Mookie Betts was recognized as the American League Player of the Week. During that impressive week, Betts boasted a .581 batting average, with two home runs, two triples, three doubles, seven runs batted in (RBIs), and eight runs scored. He led the American League in several offensive categories that week, including batting average, hits, on-base percentage, total bases, and slugging percentage.
September 12, 2016: Start of No-Strikeout Streak
Starting on September 12, 2016, Mookie Betts began a streak of 129 consecutive plate appearances without a strikeout.
2016: Move to Right Field
In 2016, Mookie Betts transitioned to playing right field for the Boston Red Sox.
2016: All-Star Selection and Notable Achievements
In 2016, Mookie Betts was selected to his first MLB All-Star game, starting in right field. He also achieved significant milestones, including being named the AL Player of the Month for July and becoming the first player to reach 200 hits during the 2016 MLB season.
2016: Red Sox's Playoff Run and Accolades
In 2016, The Red Sox clinched the AL East Division title but were swept by the Cleveland Indians in the ALDS. Betts received accolades for his defensive skills, being named Wilson Sporting Goods Defensive Player of the Year at right field. He was also a finalist for the American League MVP Award, finishing as runner-up to Mike Trout.
2016: Solid Season Performance and Recognition
Despite facing criticism for his batting average on balls in play, Mookie Betts showcased a solid performance in 2016, leading the Red Sox in several categories, including runs scored, stolen bases, home runs, and RBIs. His efforts earned him his second consecutive Golden Glove Award.
April 19, 2017: End of No-Strikeout Streak
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: Record-Tying Game and All-Star Selection
On July 2, 2017, Betts tied an MLB record with eight RBIs from the leadoff spot in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays. He was also selected for his second American League All-Star Game, starting in place of Mike Trout.
2017: Perfect Game in Bowling
In 2017, Mookie Betts, also a professional bowler, bowled a perfect game in the World Series of Bowling.
April 17, 2018: Three-Homer Game and Comparisons to Mike Trout
On April 17, 2018, Mookie Betts hit three home runs against the Los Angeles Angels, tying Ted Williams for the most three-homer games in Red Sox history. This performance sparked discussions comparing Betts to Mike Trout, considered one of the best players in baseball.
November 2018: Birth of First Child
Mookie Betts and his girlfriend, Brianna Hammonds, welcomed their first child, a daughter, in November 2018.
2018: Change in Batting Order
At the start of the 2018 season, Red Sox manager Alex Cora made changes to the batting order, placing Andrew Benintendi as the leadoff hitter and Mookie Betts in the second spot.
2018: Special Necklace from a Fan
In 2018, Mookie Betts received a necklace from a 13-year-old fan, which he continued to wear even after being traded to the Dodgers.
2018: Historic MLB Season for Mookie Betts
In 2018, while playing for the Boston Red Sox, Mookie Betts became the first player in MLB history to win the Most Valuable Player, Silver Slugger, Gold Glove, batting title, and World Series all in the same season.
2018: Record-Breaking Season and All-Star Selection
Mookie Betts had a historic season in 2018, achieving several milestones, including leading the league in home runs by May and becoming the fourth Red Sox player to hit 100 home runs before turning 26. He was selected for the 2018 MLB All-Star game as a starting outfielder.
2018: MVP Award and World Series Victory
Mookie Betts had an exceptional 2018 season, leading the major leagues in batting average, slugging percentage, and runs scored. His performance earned him his third consecutive Gold Glove, the Heart & Hustle Award, and the American League MVP award. He also played a key role in the Red Sox's World Series victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
2019: Return to Leadoff and All-Star Selection
In 2019, Mookie Betts was moved back to the leadoff spot in the Red Sox batting order. He was selected as a reserve outfielder for the 2019 All-Star Game.
2019: Strong Season Performance and Defensive Accolades
In 2019, Mookie Betts continued to excel, leading the major leagues in runs scored and demonstrating his defensive prowess with a 15 Defensive Runs Saved rating. His performance earned him his fourth consecutive Gold Glove and third Silver Slugger award.
February 10, 2020: Trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers
On February 10, 2020, Mookie Betts was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers along with David Price and cash considerations in exchange for Alex Verdugo, Connor Wong, and Jeter Downs.
August 27, 2020: 1,000 MLB Career Hits
On August 27, 2020, Mookie Betts achieved the milestone of 1,000 hits in his Major League Baseball career.
2020: Second World Series Championship and Notable Achievements
In 2020, Mookie Betts helped the Dodgers win the World Series, marking his second championship title. He also achieved several other notable feats, including making three consecutive game-saving defensive plays in the NLCS and hitting a home run in the World Series clincher.
January 2021: Engagement
Mookie Betts and Brianna Hammonds announced their engagement in January 2021.
December 1, 2021: Marriage
Mookie Betts and Brianna Hammonds were married on December 1, 2021, in Palos Verdes, California.
2021: Adoption of a Vegan Lifestyle
In 2021, Mookie Betts announced that he had adopted a vegan lifestyle.
2021: First All-Star Selection with the Dodgers
In 2021, Mookie Betts was selected to the National League All-Star Team for the first time as a Dodger, marking his sixth overall All-Star game appearance.
January 2022: Venture into Movie Production
Mookie Betts signed a movie production agreement with Propagate Content in January 2022.
August 2022: Jackie Robinson Film Preview
A film co-produced by Mookie Betts, titled "Jackie Robinson: Get to the Bag," had a preview event at a New York museum in August 2022.
2022: Sixth All-Star Game Appearance
In 2022, Mookie Betts was selected as a starting outfielder for the National League All-Star Team, making it his sixth appearance at the MLB All-Star game, which was held at Dodger Stadium.
August 7, 2023: Fifth Career Grand Slam and All-Star Selection
On August 7, 2023, Mookie Betts hit his fifth career grand slam home run as a lead-off batter, tying a Major League record. He was also elected by fans as a National League starter in the 2023 MLB All-Star Game.
2023: Departure from Veganism
By 2023, Mookie Betts confirmed that he was no longer following a vegan diet.
2023: Versatility on the Field
In 2023, Mookie Betts demonstrated his versatility by playing significant time at second base and even making his first-ever career appearance as a shortstop.
2024: Transition to Shortstop
In 2024, Mookie Betts was initially slated to become the Dodgers' full-time second baseman. However, due to team needs, he was moved to the starting shortstop position.
2032: Record-Breaking Contract Extension
In 2020, the Dodgers signed Betts to a 12-year contract extension, running through the 2032 season. This deal, worth $365 million with a $65 million signing bonus, became the richest in Dodgers history and the third-richest in North American sports history.