Mookie Betts, 2018
It might still sting a bit, but it’s hard not to look back fondly on Mookie Betts‘ 2018 campaign. The 2018 season as a whole was a joyride for Red Sox Nation as the team won 108 games in the regular season and dominated the postseason as well en route to their fourth World Series championship of the 21st century.
Betts was one of many stars on that team, but he shined just a bit brighter than everyone else thanks to a line of .346/.438/.640 with 32 home runs, 80 RBI, and 30 stolen bases. Betts took home the AL MVP, Golden Glove, and Silver Slugger honors.
It was a truly remarkable effort by Betts and it’s one of the main factors that contributed to that team is as good as it was. While Betts would go on to struggle in the postseason, it hardly mattered. His teammates were able to pick up some of the slack, just as he did for them on more than one occasion during the regular season.
Mookie may no longer be on the Red Sox, but the memories he provided to the franchise especially in 2018 will not soon be forgotten. Filling the void of his absence will be incredibly difficult.