Mookie Betts’ first season with the Los Angeles Dodgers was a memorable one as not only was he named a National League MVP finalist in addition to winning both a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger, but he also played a big part in the team breaking their 32-year World Series drought.
Betts scored the winning run in Game 6 of the World Series and also added some insurance with a homer later in the game to help put away the Tampa Bay Rays.
That was just Betts’ first impression in L.A. as he is under contract for 12 more years after signing a massive $390 million extension with the Dodgers just before the start of the 2020 season.
It appears Betts is already making himself as home and putting that money to good use by purchasing a home in Encino from UCLA football head coach Chip Kelly, according to James McClain of Variety:
Fresh off a historic Dodgers world series win — their first in 32 years — Mookie Betts is celebrating as only the rich and/or famous can do, with the purchase of a lavish mansion. The five-time Gold Glove winner batted out $7.6 million for his house, located in the celebrity-favored San Fernando Valley community of Encino.
It could be coincidence, but records reveal the seller of Betts’ new home is also a famous professional sports figure. In August 2018, former NFL coach Chip Kelly — now head coach of the UCLA Bruins — and his wife Jill Cohen paid $7 million for the then-brand-new structure, which was built and sold by a local developer.
Now that he will be with the Dodgers long term and has a house picked out, this offseason will be a big one for Betts establishing himself as L.A.’s biggest star alongside the likes of LeBron James, Clayton Kershaw, Anthony Davis, Cody Bellinger, Aaron Donald and Kawhi Leonard.
Betts used World Series expectations as fuel
What sets Betts apart from most athletes is his sole desire to win championships. He knew that expectations were high when he first came to L.A., but he just used that as motivation to win it all in 2020.
“It just means everything. I was traded for to help get us over the hump,” Betts said of winning a World Series in his first season with the Dodgers. “I used that as my fuel. Since Day 1 that’s obviously been the goal, so I’m just happy to be a part of it.”
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