How does an MVP with a Hall of Fame resume manage a prolonged slump?
Mookie Betts has come to grips with that situation during the worst offensive season of his storied career. The former Boston Red Sox superstar is batting .243/.311/.367 in 495 plate appearances for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Betts discussed his frustrating 2025 campaign with Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman on Yahoo Sports’ “Baseball Bar-B-Cast” podcast. The 32-year-old conceded that it’s difficult falling so short of his lofty standards.
“Going through this year and looking up and seeing that you’re nowhere near on track for your goal, it’s disheartening,” Betts said. “It really sucks, especially when your whole career you’ve gotten pretty close to your goals. Sometimes you’ve exceeded your goals.”
Betts hasn’t escaped that reality with reporters asking about his struggles “every single day.” The eight-time All-Star explained how he’s embraced a new perspective to navigate the long season.
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“Just win today. Do whatever you can to win today,” Betts explained. “You may be 0-for-4, but maybe you had a sac fly for an RBI that helped. Maybe you made a nice play in defense or whatever that will help. Since I’ve changed my mindset to that, it’s really helped me get through every day.
“Because I look up and I see .230 (batting average), and that’s hard. It really is hard. I’ve never had to do that. I’m going through stuff now that I’ve never had to go through in my entire life. Like, ever. So I don’t know how to get out of this. And so, the only thing I can control is really just trying to help the guys win every day. And if I can do that, then at least I can go to sleep at night.”
Those efforts are apparent by Betts still offering stout defense at shortstop, a demanding position the 12-year pro is playing regularly for the first time. Betts is also starting to show life at the plate, going 14-for-38 in his last nine games.
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His comments proved remarkably prescient when Betts went 0-for-3 but delivered a key sacrifice fly in Friday night’s 3-2 win over the San Diego Padres. The Dodgers and Padres are now tied for the National League West lead entering their next two matchups at Petco Park.
