Mookie Betts, the eight-time All-Star and former MVP, has faced one of the toughest seasons of his career, hitting just .244/.314/.370 with a prolonged 0-for-22 slump leaving him at a career low. This difficult stretch coincided with the Los Angeles Dodgers losing their grip on the NL West lead, following a sweep by the Angels and four losses in five games.
However, Betts has recently shown improvement, raising his batting line to .280/.321/.380 in August. This revival is largely credited to guidance from his close friend and former Boston Red Sox teammate J.D. Martinez, whose insight helped Betts regain confidence at the plate.
Turning Point: Patience and Grace as Keys to Recovery
Betts opened up about the mindset shift that sparked his turnaround, emphasizing the importance of self-compassion during difficult moments. He explained,
“It really took me giving myself grace, being patient with myself, letting myself fail, in order for me to get to the right answer,”
highlighting how allowing room for mistakes was essential in overcoming his slump. He also added,
“I went through a time where I was frustrated, getting frustrated with myself, and beating myself up. JD actually came in and kind of helped me, just helped me with grace and patience. That’s what has kind of gotten me out of it.”
Strong Offensive Performance Fuels Confidence
Since following Martinez’s advice, Betts has reignited his hitting, currently riding an eight-game hitting streak. During this span, he has amassed 12 hits in 30 at-bats, crossing the plate eight times and contributing two doubles, a home run, five RBIs, and two walks, all with only three strikeouts.
For Betts, the resurgence goes beyond numbers—serving as a period of growth and resilience. He reflected,
“I will never forget the rest of my life these last four or five months, however long it’s been,”
and added,
“I can really kind of apply it to life. It really taught me about life and going through the ups and downs, and really just kind of how to mentally handle whatever comes my way.”
Dodgers’ Critical Moment in NL West Race
The Dodgers face a crucial stretch as they aim to reclaim the NL West crown and secure a fourth straight division title. Their success hinges significantly on Betts sustaining or surpassing his recent form. With the Padres looming as main rivals, Betts’s renewed mindset and improved production will be central to Los Angeles’s efforts to regain dominance in the division and make a deep postseason push.