Dodgers’ Mookie Betts is Determined to be a Hall of Famer
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts has accomplished a lot in his career since making his major league debut debut in 2014. A seven-time MLB All-Star, three-time All-MLB first team, a former American League MVP and batting champion, and a two-time World Series champion are just the beginning of the accolades Betts has achieved.
Despite these accomplishments, Betts remains motivated as ever. His primary motivation? To make the Baseball Hall of Fame and cement his spot in Cooperstown.
Betts explained how this goal has carried his drive since joining the Dodgers after the Red Sox traded him to Los Angeles in 2020 and signing a 12-year extension.
“Even after I signed [with the Dodgers] I wasn’t like, ‘I’m set. I’m good.’ No. There’s more goals and more things I want to achieve. I’ve got eight, nine more years left on the deal. I just made a move [to shortstop] at 31. You’d best believe I’m not about to stop. I’m going to keep going until they take the jersey off me.”
— Mookie Betts, via the Boston Globe’s Alex Speier
If Betts can reach milestones like 400 home runs and 200 stolen bases, or 3,000 career hits, he could greatly improve these Hall of Fame chances. Currently, Betts has 1,501 hits, 257 home runs, and 173 stolen bases while hitting .296.
This Hall of Fame goal has been especially evident with how well Betts has started his season. Through nine games and 33 at-bats, Betts has 16 hits, 14 runs, five runs, 11 RBIs while hitting a phenomenal average of .485. He hit the first MLB home run of the season, and reached the 1,500 hit mark already this season.
Aside from his stats, Betts’ motivation is clear just from the way he speaks. He’s determined to succeed in his new role at shortstop, and is willing to take on any challenge on the field. With his attitude and drive, it’s no surprise to see him playing at this level, and would make it unsurprising to see Betts wind up in Cooperstown.
Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
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Another 4-5 years of his current production will get him in the hall.
First, he needs continued good health, lots of games, at-bats, and yes, 4-5 more years at least. 3,000 hits would mean 187 hits per year for 8 more years, That may be difficult to do. He had a great year last year and only had 179 hits. So really, to get to 3,000 hits may mean playing 10 more years averaging 150 hits per year. That is asking a lot. During almost all of that time or all of that time, Ohtani will be the DH. 400 home runs is 20 home runs per year for 8 more years and he hit 39 last year. That is doable. 200 stolen bases should be relatively easy, just a few per year. A couple of World Series wins, with good performances in those playoff years, would help. Playing average shortstop for a couple of years will help.