Mookie Betts Once in a Lifetime Season
The Red Sox™ just beat the Yankees™ in the ALDS. Now, they’ll face the Houston Astros™ in a best of 7 series with a chance to play in the World Series on the line. It’s easy to get lost in all this excitement. 2018 is the first time the Red Sox™ have been back to the ALCS since 2013, also the last year they won the World Series. In the days leading up to their matchup with the Astros™, we should all take a moment to look back on the season that Mookie Betts had this year. Sox fan or not, we can all marvel at some of the numbers he put up this year. In 2018, Betts proved he is one of the most exciting and talented young players on the diamond. He’s both a phenomenal hitter and an elite defender. This year, he’s broken multiple records, had some incredible individual accomplishments, and made himself the AL MVP favorite.
Betts’ 2018 regular season has included:
A WAR of 10.9 (baseball-reference.com)
Won the AL Batting title
30 – 30 club (32 home runs and 30 stolen bases)
1.078 OPS
Highest average (.346) and slugging percentage (.640) across the MLB®
Scored a league high 129 runs
Had 80 RBIs
Hit for the cycle on August 10th
Looking at all these accomplishments, it’s clear that Betts had a terrific season. But when put into historical context, his numbers and achievements are truly unbelievable. Mookie Betts isn’t just having a great season, he’s having one of the single best seasons of all time. He’s put up numbers that compare to some of the all-time great Red Sox™ players and Hall of Famers.
Second Red Sox™ player to join the 30 – 30 club
Just one of three players in Red Sox™ history to reach 100 steals and 100 homers with the club
One of only two players who have cracked .340 while also being in the 30 – 30 club
Second Red Sox™ player to total 40 double, 5 triples, and 30 home runs in a season, the other was Ted Williams
His 17 games with 3 or more extra base hits by the age of 26 top a list that includes Lou Gehrig (14), Jimmie Foxx (14), Mel Ott (13), and Alex Rodriguez (13)
He surpassed Nomar Garciaparra for the most home runs out of the lead-off spot
Just the 11th player to put up a 10 WAR season at 25 years or younger
First person to win the batting title who was also in the 30 – 30 club
Likely AL MVP who helped lead Boston to their franchise record 108 wins
The list goes on and on. Mookie Betts earned his place in baseball history this year and his accomplishments should be celebrated before we shift our focus solely to the playoffs. If you’re a Red Sox™ fan, you hope that Betts will continue these trends through the month of October.