The Los Angeles Dodgers’ three-game series against the Boston Red Sox is a reunion for several players who have ties to both teams. Chief among them is Mookie Betts, who returned to Fenway Park for the first time since being traded to the Dodgers in February 2020.
Betts spent the first six seasons of his career with the Red Sox, where he was a four-time All-Star, 2018 American League MVP Award winner and World Series champion.
As expected, Betts received a standing ovation as he stepped up to the plate for his first at-bat on Friday. Betts saluted the Red Sox fans in attendance by tipping his helmet and making a heart gesture with his hands.
Betts appreciated the warm reception and said he will remember the moment for the rest of his life, per Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
“It was cool. I don’t really remember what I was feeling. I was kind of shaking a little bit,” Betts said of the moment. “I tried to take all my expectations out and just enjoy what came. I really didn’t know what to expect so that’s kind of the reason why I took the expectations out. Like I said, it was super cool and a very special moment I’ll cherish and remember for the rest of my life.”
Betts’ biggest concern heading into the series opener was receiving a pitch clock violation like Cody Bellinger when he returned to Dodger Stadium earlier this season.
Betts not only avoided one, but proceeded to spark the Dodgers’ rally in the top of the sixth with a leadoff double that extended his hitting streak to 13 games.
Mookie Betts was ‘really nervous’ returning to Fenway Park
Betts admitted on his podcast that he was anxious about going back to Fenway Park and didn’t know what to expect. Kiké Hernández and Ryan Brasier also returned to the ballpark since leaving the Red Sox for the Dodgers.
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