Dodgers: Mookie Betts Reveals His Two Baseball Idols
Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts is one of the best players in baseball. Before he was winning awards and crushing homers, the younger Betts idolized two titans of the American League East: Manny Ramirez and Derek Jeter.
Betts discussed emulating the two legends in an appearance on the Talkin’ Shop podcast with Coach Ballgame and Coach Chop.
“Looking at how he [Jeter} played. [How he] played shortstop. My favorite hitter at the time was Manny [Ramirez]. I would try to hit like Manny and it would not end up looking anything like Manny. Just the mental of ‘I look like Manny’ – it would help me hit.”
Jeter was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2020 after an illustrious 20-year career. Manny has the stats to be in the Hall of Fame, but his PED past presents a considerable roadblock in his path to Cooperstown.
Regardless, both Jeter and Manny were prodigious players in their own right. Betts, like his two baseball heroes, has performed at a high level in the playoffs. Mookie’s home run in Game 6 of the 2020 World Series sealed the Dodgers first championship in 32 years.
Betts’s First Love
Oddly enough, baseball wasn’t even Betts’s favorite sport growing up. Early on, it was all basketball for Betts.
Well before Betts ever stepped foot in Los Angeles, the one and only Kobe Bryant was an athlete Mookie greatly admired. In addition to Kobe, guards Eric Snow and Allen Iverson were also big influences for Betts.
In his own words, Betts admitted that his on the field style is a blend of different players from different sports.
“You may emulate four or five different guys and bring those four or five different styles into one play. That’s what I have always tried to do.”
However he does it, Mookie is a rare breed with a style all his own.
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Mookie is going to have a “bounce back” kind of year; in my opinion. And with him manning RF with less time in center, less problems with this hip, Cody in center more and covering more ground. Mookie will have less pressure in the field and that should help his overall game.
One the lockout is over baseball will return to the sports pages and Mookie will be at the top, where is should be. He seems to be an open book and clearly enjoys being at the top. That is what will keep him there.
Love me some MOOOOOOKIIEEEEE!!!! He is the consummate player of the game of baseball and his attitude and non-arrogant ways are refreshing, to say the least. I went to a LOT of games last season in 2021 and you never knew what you were going to get, or see, from Mookie. But, I’m here to tell you…. he is a very FUN and EXCITING player to watch play! Good luck in 2022, Mookie, I’ll be there rootin’ for ya’ and the rest of the Blue Crew!!! 😀