It's been five years since the disastrous Mookie Betts trade, and Boston Red Sox fans across the globe still aren't over it.
Betts hasn't made it any easier on Boston fans. He's won two World Series with the Dodgers organization and has become a fan-favorite on the West Coast. Sox fans still have love for Betts, and he claims the feeling is mutual, but he recently poured salt into Red Sox Nation's still-unhealed wounds.
Betts was vocal about his love for the Red Sox and the city of Boston on the Jan. 23 episode of the "All The Smoke" podcast with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson. He shared that he still keeps up with the Red Sox organization even after his departure.
“As quiet as it’s kept, I enjoy watching Red Sox games … because of Cora. I love Alex Cora and I enjoy watching Red Sox games,” Betts said. "...Now, being personal and my personal relationship with Boston, as I said, I loved it, absolutely loved it. I still talk to front office people there and to AC. I loved it."
Mookie Betts reflects fondly on his years with the Red Sox in recent podcast appearance
Plenty of players have praised Cora for his managerial style and relationships with players, including 2024 Red Sox and longtime Dodger, Kenley Jansen. Betts' relationship with Cora is one of the things that resonated with him from his time with the Sox, but he also mentioned that he still speaks with some of the front office members in Boston.
Betts' thoughts about the Red Sox organization are bittersweet for fans to hear, even years after the trade. The Red Sox have been on a downward trajectory since they dealt Betts to the Dodgers — low payrolls, just one playoff appearance, losing records and apathy from the front office have defined the team for five years. Red Sox fans often wonder what the team would look like today if they had successfully extended Betts, and most believe they would be much better off.
At least Betts reflects fondly on his time in Boston and with the Red Sox. The 2018 squad is one fans won't soon forget.