Mookie Betts saw his position switch as ‘a fail’ — and then he became one of MLB’s best defensive shortstops

It was the only facet of baseball in which he had ever struggled. One side of the game, which Mookie Betts could have been mastered.

“It simply came to our notice then. The CBS Sports told Dodgers Star last week.

Failure doesn’t sit well with a man who is lunar in the glory hall. Even with its three world-range titles, MVP prize, eight starfish and six golden gloves, Betts’ lackluster Play in an unfamiliar position fell on his conscience.

So, as the last week’s weather will be in the Citi field, he passed through his original daily routine, through a piece of rain.

The first base coach and infildid instructor Chrissis wooden was covered with him, the couple went on the first half of his knees, isolating the lower half and forcing his hands to rely on. They started the main one-hop reps in front of advance and backhand picks. Then Betts went out to the outside and repeated the sequence. Only now he was standing, the feet were engaged in drill.

“Every day I work,” he said.

This bet even plays a position, from its usual comfortable place in the right field – testimony for its unwavering sacrifice, as well as as many, as much, the more sports ability.

Let’s first solve the former point. Shortstop, next to catching, is the most demanding protective position in the field. One that requires you to be a quarter of each game. It also wears you on and can affect your offensive profile. While Betts came as second basketball, the position is almost no demanding.

“Your brain starts to be tired of you because he doesn’t miss the field,” Woodword said. “That’s the thing we demand that I request it from him, you can’t get out.

As a player’s age, position requirements, and its impact becomes more pronounced. Take twins Carlos Correa, for example, who is in his 30th season? His OPS is only 0.665 through 46 games, but his protection remains elite. Then there is a red Sox’s Trevor story, who is 32 years old. The story can still handle short but offensive, he can prepare .582 ops through the first 53 games. Shortstop and injury run – Caught two players.

Betts, who is the same age, is not a young man and stands about four inches short than his peers, generously listed 5-foot, 180 pounds. He is likely to feel the crushing of the position more than only Koref and history. But Famer’s Future Hall loves the challenge.

“It’s fun when it’s one thing I’ve never done,” Betts said. “Thus, at any time, someone is doing something new, how do you just accept those challenges? But to help the team. So it can help the team.

Shortstop was unfamiliar to play last season, When Dodgers asked him to take that step maximize their talented composition. The struggle was also unfamiliar.

If you have asked for any of his teammates or close friends, Betts are Freak Attrelelete that disappoints its surroundings because he’s all good for everything. Ping pong? He can beat you in it. One-one basketball. That’s also, and he can dive despite his limited height. Bowling He is a professionalA number but short-lived. It demanded a failure, then sweat own capital, and so far BETTS reaped the benefits. He is connected to short-media outlets in defensive militants and 91st interest rate is engaged in the 91st interest rate and the 82nd interest rate on the value of the field operation.

Again, he is 32 years old. 61 starts 61 start as Dodgers’ Shortstop 2024. Now he does this for Dodgers every day, a team that has the dynasty expectations with one of the deep rosters of baseball history. That’s unaccountable.

“No one goes in and is just something out of the bat successfully,” Betts said. “No one I have seen. Last year, I played a lot of games to create some experience, so I knew I wouldn’t say that well.

Manager Dave Roberts responds to some BETTS moods.

“He is now like a short-lived leader,” he said. Meanwhile, last year I didn’t feel like that, “said Roberts.

The grinding of the 162 game season will be the actual Betts test. He has not yet had his usual success on the plate, cut .254 / .338 / .405. Her legs sometimes look heavier as she runs the first base line may a sign of Shorttope demand.

But Betts trailing post prefers its current numbers, and the adults always find a way to return to their own stratosphere, where few can fall. In the Los Angeles market, where the stars are planned to be focused on the focus and in the Great Leagues in its 12th year, he welcomes the challenge.

“It’s not guys for position,” said the wood. “It simply came to our notice then.