The Boston Red Sox may have the new Willie Mays in Mookie Betts. Both represent five-tool talent, great personality and strive for improvement.
As you get older and especially much older the prism that you look through to take you back to the past becomes somewhat diluted. The snows were deeper, people more pleasant, worries were few and baseball players were superior to what plays today. That last part is certainly debatable and in actuality so is the rest. Age does have a way of coloring the past into something it was not.
When I look at Boston Red Sox superstar Mookie Betts just who am I reminded of? The present day fans will most certainly mention an Andrew McCutchen or even a Mike Trout, who both earned a Most Valuable Player Award. Both are dynamic five tool players and that newfangled WAR statistic, certainly will show that. I look further back and now comes a point many will consider insane or sacrilegious. Betts reminds me of Willie Mays.
The very last time I saw Mays was in 1973 when Mays was flopping around centerfield for the New York Mets like tuna stranded on the deck of a fishing trawler. I also saw Mays in New York City in his prime. In one glorious week I got to see Mays, Mickey Mantle and Duke Snider. The very best of the best and many actually considered the “Duke of Brooklyn” superior to Mays and Mantle.
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The comparison is certainly not the body of work, but the one isolated age of 23-years-old when Mays broke loose and so has Betts. Mays won the MVP Award in 1954 and a batting championship. Mays slashed .345/.411/.467 and registered a league leading 1.078 OPS. The power was there with 41 home runs and 110 RBI to couple with 33 doubles and a league leading 13 triples. Mays – who would lead the National League in steals four times – stole “only” eight bases in 13 attempts.
That season the Giants also won the pennant and rolled over the heavily favored Cleveland Indians 4-0 in the World Series. That series provided the most iconic defensive moment in World Series history with the remarkable over the shoulder catch by Mays in the deep center field at the Polo Grounds. What is rarely mentioned is the great throw afterwards.
That season was a breakout for Mays and 2016 was a breakout for Betts. Betts may not match the “Say Hey Kid” in home runs, but knocked in 113 with many from the leadoff spot. Betts came close at 359 of matching 377 total bases of Mays. Betts finished with 42 doubles and five triples and Mays tagged 33 two baggers and the mentioned 13 triples. Betts swiped 26 bases while being nabbed only four times.
Mays was in a class by himself defensively and even Jackie Bradley cannot compare. Betts, however, is no slouch. Betts has an above average arm, great closing speed on the ball and his instincts are remarkable for a player so recently transferred to the outfield. Top that off with a Gold Glove and Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award. Betts has the defense and it will only get better.
Physically both Mays and Betts are similar with Mays, standing an inch taller to Betts and Betts surprisingly ten pounds heavier. The comparison is eerily similar. What also stands out is they are virtually duplicates with their on the field demeanor. Both put pressure on the defense when on the bases and let their talents do the talking. Mays – like Betts – rarely tossed a tantrum or a public spectacle when things went sour with an umpire.
Betts does not make excuses and neither did Mays. Both are baseball sponges who examine the game, study players and ask questions. Mays never had to be told where to position himself – he knew. Leo Durocher was as tough a manager as baseball ever had, but “The Lip” simply knew what he had and Mays needed no coddling or watchful eyes for extracurricular activities. Betts appears the same – unassuming and professional to the nth degree.
A few months ago I saw a NESN show – just caught the end of it and had no idea what it was about, but what hit me was Betts speaking to David Ortiz. When the discussion was over Betts said: “Thank you, sir.” Betts was brought up to respect and it shows in his game and relationship with others.
With Mays you had those photos of Willie playing stick ball with kids on the street. Amazing. The love of the game that both possess. Another commonality.
Betts is just beginning his career and the trajectory is promising. Will he accomplish what Mays accomplished? That would be amazing and it will certainly be enjoyable watching.
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Steve Buckley of the Boston Herald recently wrote about Betts being the face of the franchise after Ortiz retires. Buckley is wrong. Betts is on the same path as Mays and that is to be the face of baseball and not just the Red Sox.
Sources: Baseball-Reference