Mookie Betts’ 2025 season with the Dodgers was majorly low-key, but it ended on the highest note possible. Making the move to shortstop wasn’t easy, and his bat went cold for stretches, but his defense was elite all year, and he came through when it mattered most, including that unforgettable game-winning hit in Game 6 of the World Series. The 33-year-old proved he still had some gas left in the tank.

However, as fans are all set to see Betts at his best again this year, he has left them stunned by revealing his retirement timeline, something he casually shared in a conversation with wrestling icon John Cena.

“I’ll be 40, my little girl will be 14, my son will be 10. My parents were always there, and I want to do the same thing for my kids.” Betts revealed via What Drives You with John Cena TV show.

Well, Betts has made it pretty clear that he does not see his playing career going past his current deal with the Dodgers. The four-time World Series champ is under a 12-year, $365 million contract he signed in July 2020, which runs through the 2032 season. By then, Betts will be 40 years old, and for him, that feels like the right stopping point. But why?

Betts has said he plans to follow the same path his parents did, putting family first.

By 2032, both of his kids will be teenagers, and he believes that will be the perfect time to step away from baseball and be fully present with them. On top of that, he knows that at 40, the odds of still being at his absolute peak are slim, unless you are someone like Max Scherzer defying time!

And as for accomplishments, Betts really does not have much left to prove. Heading into 2026, he looks firmly on a Hall of Fame trajectory. In just 12 seasons, he has already piled up eight All-Star selections, seven Silver Sluggers, six Gold Gloves, and an American League MVP award from 2018. Stat-wise, he has 1,797 hits, 291 HRs, 196 stolen bases, a .881 OPS, and 75.2 WAR. That trophy case is already overflowing.

So, with everything he has achieved on the field, Betts seems completely at peace with his long-term plan. And honestly, his outlook might be one of the best examples in sports today of finding the right balance between greatness at work and being there for life at home.

Mookie Betts’ long-term plan goes beyond retirement

Well, retirement isn’t the only thing on Mookie Betts’ mind. Even while he’s still starring on the field, he’s clearly laying the groundwork for what life will look like after baseball.

For the unversed, the Dodgers shortstop has invested in Home Run Dugout, a baseball-focused entertainment company, and has taken on a bigger role by joining as a brand ambassador and serving as the chair of its Athlete Advisory Board.

Home Run Dugout’s goal is to make baseball more approachable and engaging for fans of all ages, combining interactive batting bays with a lively social sports bar atmosphere. So, having a player of Betts’ stature involved does more than add star power; it directly connects the company’s vision to someone who understands the game at the highest level and is widely respected across the sport.

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Beyond Home Run Dugout, Betts has also diversified his portfolio with investments in other sectors, showing that he’s thinking long-term about his future and influence. It’s a strong sign that when his playing days eventually come to an end, his presence in and around the game will continue to be felt well beyond the foul lines.