Mookie Betts, All in a Day’s Work: Three Homers, One Awesome Diving Catch

Baseball. It’s a young man’s game, and increasingly so over the past few years. From Bryce Harper to Mike Trout to Noah Syndergaard and Julio Urias, the game is all about the kids. Because, I mean, hell, they’re really really good. 

One of the most exciting young players in the game is Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts. At just 23 years old, you may know Betts from his storied basketball career, or maybe from his mad bowling skills, or maybe even his golf cart driving abilities. But if none of that is ringing a bell, you may know Mookie Betts because he’s already playing in his third major league season and is doing so to a great degree of success.

Last night, for example, Betts had himself a game, in the most deserved use of that phrase ever. First, let’s start with his night at the plate, which included three home runs:

Your browser does not support iframes.

That’s three home runs, one to each field. Those three homers in five plate appearances is good for a laughable 3.000 OPS on the evening. Even if you were a butcher in the field, that kind of night at the plate would more than make up for it. Except, you know he’s not a butcher. In fact, Betts is downright impressive:

Your browser does not support iframes.

That was just a legitimately awesome catch. He covered so much ground in such little time and still made the diving/rolling catch. More specifically, thanks to Statcast, we know that Betts made almost an instantaneous reaction, ran 20.7 MPH, while covering 76.7 feet for a 96% route efficiency. Rarely can you say one player single-handedly won the game for a team, but Betts’ Tuesday evening was about as close as it gets.

Have yourself a game, Mookie.

written by

Michael Cerami began covering the Chicago Cubs for Bleacher Nation as a part-time contributor in 2015. One year later, he joined Bleacher Nation full-time, covering the Chicago Cubs and Major League Baseball. Today, Michael runs Bleacher Nation, contributing as a writer (Cubs, MLB) and an editor for all sections of the site, including the Chicago Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks, as well as MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL. In 2019, Michael was the co-host of NBC Sports Chicago's Cubs Post-Game Show Outside the Ivy. You can find him on Twitter/X @Michael_Cerami

more cubs news

Justin Steele, Hamstrings and Hindsight, Montgomery and Bieber, Roster Options, More

You can't know what's going to happen on the injury front. Trying to predict the unpredictability of player health has been the longest-running vexatious part of a modern front office's job, and I recognize that kind of thing before getting...

The Morel Foul Ball, Madrigal’s D, Busch Heads Up, Langford Respect, and Other Cubs Bullets

Ah, now the obligatory off-day after Opening Day. And an Opening Day loss no less, which always makes today that much better, right ... You could hang on so many things from the opening loss - one-run losses in heavily-scrutinized...

Justin Steele Injury Update: New Classification, MRI Tomorrow, IL Stint Coming? Steele and Counsell Speak

A significant update on Justin Steele came from Craig Counsell tonight after the Cubs extra innings loss in Texas. In short: Yes, a stint on the Injured List is likely for Justin Steele. But we still don't know how severe...

Enhanced Box Score: Rangers 4, Cubs 3 – March 28, 2024

It took exactly one day for the Cubs' ace to sustain what may be a significant injury, for their closer to blow a save, for the umpires to significantly impact the outcome of a critical play (this time in the...

OMG: Michael Busch Scored the 9th Inning, GO-AHEAD Run, Because He Just Never Stopped Running

That was absolutely incredible. To all the little kids out there, when your coach tells you to never stop running, this is why. Rookie Cubs 1B Michael Busch (the guy the Cubs got from the Dodgers this offseason to be...

Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Rangers – Lineups, Pitching Matchup, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

*SHORT COURTS: It's Time To Bring The Home Court, Home! Looking for a unique way to celebrate your athlete or team before you peruse the FIRST CHICAGO CUBS LINEUP of the Year? Don't miss out! For just one more week...

The Cubs Are Among the Most Returning-y Teams

I am still mostly incapacitated at the moment, so apologies for the short shrift on such an otherwise blessed day. In between pokes and prods, I wanted to share a chart I saw that was pretty interesting, even if unsurprising:...

Maybe the Cubs Are the Favorites in the NL Central, After All?

ESPN was the first to throw some love the Cubs way this week, with an overwhelming majority of their writers, analysts, and editors picking the Chicago Cubs to win the NL Central in 2024. But the love doesn't end there....

The Season Begins, Love for Morel, Counsell’s Value, and Other Cubs Bullets

You know where you want to spend your Opening Day morning? The hospital! Suffice to say, this is not how I imagined getting HYPED for the Cubs' opener. I guess I'll just have to think about all the possible lineup...

Cubs vs Rangers: The First Series of the Year!

Cubs vs Rangers — THE REGULAR SEASON IS HERE! Wake up and rejoice. Later tonight, the Cubs will begin their march toward October Baseball against the (reigning World Series champion) Texas Rangers in Arlington. Justin Steele is getting the nod...

Latest News

Bulls vs. Nets: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Brooklyn Nets (28-45) face the Chicago Bulls (35-38) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at Barclays Center. It tips at 7:30 PM ET on NBCS.Last time out, the Bulls won on Wednesday 125-99 over the Pacers. The Nets are coming...

How to Watch Knicks vs. Spurs: Live Stream or on TV

The New York Knicks (44-28) will try to build on a three-game winning run when visiting the San Antonio Spurs (17-56) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at AT&T Center. It airs at 8:00 PM ET on BSSW.In their most recent...

Cavaliers vs. 76ers: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Philadelphia 76ers (39-34) go up against the Cleveland Cavaliers (44-29) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. It starts at 7:30 PM ET on NBCS.The Cavaliers dropped their last outing 118-111 against the Hornets on Wednesday. The...

Astros vs. Yankees Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Houston Astros will take the field against the New York Yankees (1-0) on Friday. The game begins at 8:10 PM ET on Apple TV+, with the Astros listed as -121 favorites on the moneyline.Houston's Cristian Javier and New York's...

Kawhi Leonard Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Magic – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Los Angeles Clippers play the Orlando Magic on Friday at 7:00 PM ET, and if the Clippers' Kawhi Leonard drains two 3-pointers, he'll beat his prop.Kawhi Leonard's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the MagicKawhi Leonard's over/under for three-pointers in this...

Miles Bridges Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Warriors – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Charlotte Hornets face the Golden State Warriors at 7:00 PM ET on Friday, and one of the 3-pointer props available for this matchup requires two treys from Miles Bridges.Miles Bridges' Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the WarriorsMiles Bridges' over/under for...

Deni Avdija Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Pistons – Friday, March 29, 2024

At 7:00 PM ET on Friday, it'll be the Washington Wizards versus the Detroit Pistons, with Deni Avdija needing two trifectas to beat his 3-pointer prop.Deni Avdija's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the PistonsDeni Avdija's over/under for three-pointers in this game:...

James Harden Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Magic – Friday, March 29, 2024

Will James Harden make three 3-pointers when the Los Angeles Clippers play the Orlando Magic on Friday at 7:00 PM ET? If so, he'll beat his prop for the game.James Harden's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the MagicJames Harden's over/under for...

Jordan Poole Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Pistons – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Washington Wizards meet the Detroit Pistons at 7:00 PM ET on Friday, and one of the 3-pointer over/unders available for this matchup requires three trifectas from Jordan Poole.Jordan Poole's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the PistonsJordan Poole's over/under for three-pointers...

Kelly Oubre Jr. Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Cavaliers – Friday, March 29, 2024

On Friday at 7:30 PM ET, the Philadelphia 76ers play the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Kelly Oubre Jr.'s 3-pointer prop for this clash requires two trifectas.Kelly Oubre Jr.'s Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the CavaliersKelly Oubre Jr.'s over/under for three-pointers in this...

more cubs news