Dodgers GM Believes Mookie Betts' 'Selflessness' Isn't Fully Appreciated
Los Angeles Dodgers general manager Andrew Friedman thinks Mookie Betts has not gotten all the credit he deserves. There's not much more credit Betts can get; he was the runner-up for the National League MVP award last season.
Though Betts is among the best, highest-profile players in the world, the extent of his contributions can fly a bit under the radar.
"I've learned to never bet against Mookie in any way. But I don't know that enough appreciation is out there about Mookie, a player of that magnitude, a plater on that contract doing anything and everything he can to help the team win."
— Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, via Dodgers Nation's Doug McKain
One of the ways Betts has done anything to help the team in Spring is by being versatile in the infield. Though Betts played the outfield almost exclusively from 2014-19 in Boston, he began playing some second base with the Dodgers upon his arrival in Los Angeles in 2020. In December, the Dodgers declared Betts a full-time second baseman.
When Gavin Lux struggled at shortstop during Cactus League action, Betts had no trouble moving over to fill a need for the team at shortstop.
"His mindset when we went to him on this, just like it was last year versus righties we need you to play second and versus left, we need you to kick out to the outfield, that's what puts us into position to win the most games, he said 'I'm all in.' You don't find many players like that, just the selflessness and how much that permeates our whole organization. I just think he's not fully appreciated but the athlete and the desire to win are so incredibly high, I definitely wouldn't bet against him."
— Friedman, via Dodgers Nation's Doug McKain
Betts' "selflessness" has in turn paid off for both him and the team. Betts has been named an All-Star in each of the last three seasons and a first-team All-MLB player each of the last two years.
The Dodgers have advanced to the postseason in the first four years of Betts' 12-year contract, including winning a World Series in 2020. Betts is reliable and versatile, ideal for helping the Dodgers in any way necessary.
