Mookie Betts Nearly Quit MLB Over Major Issue With Red Sox Stars in His Rookie Season

“I love being a Dodger”, admitting so comes easy for Mookie Betts. It’s not that he didn’t like his time with the Red Sox—he loved his time in Boston—but now he fully embraces life as a Dodger. Betts spent six years in Boston, achieving remarkable accolades before his blockbuster move to the Los Angeles Dodgers. In fact, before even turning 27, he was firmly positioned as one of the greatest talents in Red Sox history. That alone is pretty impressive. Now, five years into his Dodgers career, Betts has opened up about something that brought him closer to leaving the major league.

The images are still vivid in fans’ minds from the pandemic-shortened season when the Dodgers handed Mookie Betts a monstrous 12-year, $365 million contract. By the time he was traded from the Red Sox, he was already a four-time All-Star, a four-time Gold Glove Award winner, a three-time Silver Slugger, an AL MVP, and a World Series champion.

However, he recently revealed a time when he didn’t like playing in Boston at all during his rookie season. In an August 31 interview with Bleacher Report, Mookie Betts opened up about the struggles he faced as a rookie in Boston. “We had a lot of veterans there. And I remember they weren’t playing great. And in Boston if you’re not playing good, the fans are going to let you know.”

Betts further added, “So, it was just kind of like a bad situation in the locker room just because the team wasn’t playing great. I remember coming up like I may have been the only rookie….But I didn’t enjoy it at all. I really hated it.” The poor team performances created a heavy atmosphere in the clubhouse.

Mookie Betts also revealed in that interview that he had a better time in Double A before being called up to Triple A and the major leagues. “I love my boys. Like, I really love my boys, especially at the field. You just grow to love them. Like you’re with them more than your family. So, all my boys were in double A,” Betts added. In Boston’s veteran-heavy clubhouse, Betts felt isolated and struggled to connect initially.

It was different in the minors. He felt much more at ease. Still, despite all the hurdles Betts faced, he got through six seasons with the Red Sox. It certainly makes many wonder why the Red Sox didn’t manage to keep him in Boston.

How Did the Red Sox Let Mookie Betts Slip Away?

When it came down to deciding his future, Mookie Betts had a meeting with Boston executives Dave Dombrowski and Chaim Bloom. Simultaneously, he also had a word with the Dodgers president of baseball operations, Andrew Friedman. Betts was aware that the next few months of uncertainty could shape the rest of his career.

From Boston’s side, he was offered a deal of at least 10 years and $300 million. However, Betts had a higher number in mind. He countered with a 12-year, $420 million request. That figure was confirmed by industry sources shortly after he eventually signed that 12-year, $365 million deal with Los Angeles.

During that time, it was surely difficult for the Red Sox nation to accept that Betts would likely finish his career in Dodger blue. However, it’s also misleading to say Boston was unwilling to pay.

Likewise, Mookie Betts was not greedy for a massive contract in 2020. He just wanted a better environment and expected fair value for his talent. So, ultimately, Betts’ decision to sign an extension with the Dodgers had nothing to do with how much he liked or disliked Boston.