Dodgers

Dodgers: Orel Hershiser Sees Career Parallels with Mookie Betts   

While Dodgers analyst Orel Hershiser already gave a fine review of David Price coming over in the deal with Boston, he also took a look at Mookie Betts’ career and drew from his own experiences.

Of course, Betts is a born and raised Red Sox star. However, the writing was on the wall as his time ticked down in Boston. As much as he wanted to stay in Bean Town — a place he considers his home — he was also eager to test the free agent market after not getting a contract extension offer he felt was worthy of his talents.

Hershiser spoke on the feelings that come with leaving a team you want to be with but knowing it was coming.

I think he’s already been playing through this for a while because he turned down Boston in a long term deal. So mentally, he’s already thought about putting on another uniform, getting to know another travelling secretary, having a new trainer, having new teammates. So he’s mentally gone through that.

When I went from the Dodgers to the Cleveland Indians, I still wanted to be a Dodger but there was no job available for me so I had to seek other employment. I think this is not going to be as big a shock to him. It took half a season to look down at my chest and see ‘Indians’ and not see ‘Dodgers’ and think ‘oh my gosh, this is my team.

One of the million-dollar (or $420M over 12 years) questions has been whether or not the Los Angeles can make a run as re-signing or extending Betts to a long-term deal.

Earlier this week on Dodgers Nation’s Blue Heaven Podcast, I opined that Betts being with the Dodgers at the start of spring training instead of coming over at a later time would key in him building chemistry with his new teammates, and with that, a love for the organization.

Bulldog agreed with that idea.

The difference between getting ready for a game in July, and getting ready for spring training games on a daily basis is huge. To have that 20-minute meeting before you work out every day — to get to know your teammates, your manager, the whole organization, the introductions — everything that you learn about an organization really comes in spring training.

So to be able to acquire a player and go into a Dave Roberts spring training and Andrew Friedman meetings, the prep that they go through, the chemistry things they do during spring training together … it is a huge transition boost.

Mookie Betts is an MLB superstar for a reason. He’s a big personality guy and he’s bringing it, along with his talents to LA for that #HollywoodLifestyle. Thankfully he’ll have time to introduce that personality in the more relaxed setting that comes at Camelback Ranch.

NEXT: Dave Vassegh Thinks Betts is Coming To LA at the Perfect Time

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