Dodgers Video: Mookie Betts Incorporates Basketball Into Workout

3 Min Read
Tim Heitman/USA TODAY Sports

When the Los Angeles Dodgers completed a trade to acquire Mookie Betts and David Price from the Boston Red Sox, they were heralded for adding another MVP and Cy Young Award winner, respectively, to their roster.

Both players were lauded for their supreme talent, and in Betts’ case that extended off the field as he is a semi-professional bowler and capable of playing basketball as well. The 2018 American League MVP put that on display in an offseason workout that he shared on Instagram.

As alluded to in the caption, Betts wasn’t perfect during the shooting drill, but he certainly knocked down a healthy share — particularly when taking into account he makes a profession as a baseball player. Of course, Betts did play basketball in high school and is said to still be capable of dunking.

That leaping ability was on full display during the National League Championship Series as Betts robbed Marcell Ozuna of what likely was going to be an extra-base hit in Game 6. He then came back the next night and took a home run away from Freddie Freeman.

Both grabs at the wall came after Betts made a shoestring catch in shallow right field to start a double play and help the Dodgers get out of a jam. He later ranked robbing Freeman as the best of the three. “It was a homer, so probably No. 1,” Betts said.

Betts drafted by Harlem Globetrotters

It’s possible Betts will get a chance to put his basketball skills on display in a more competitive environment as he was selected with the second overall pick in the 14th annual Harlem Globetrotters players draft.

Sister Margaret Ann, Russell Wilson, Shaun Kirk and the late Chadwick Boseman were also taken in the draft.

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Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Executive Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Lakers, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com
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