BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — It had long been rumored, but it has finally happened. The Red Sox have agreed to a trade involving multiple teams that would send superstar outfielder Mookie Betts and pitcher David Price to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
ESPN's MLB Insider Jeff Passan broke the news on Tuesday night.
The Red Sox will be receiving two prospects in return, outfielder Alex Verdugo, and pitcher Brusdar Graterol. Only time will tell how the Sox made out in trade, since both those players could turn into All-Star caliber players.
For those mourning the loss of one of the Red Sox's star players, today is about looking back at Mookie's time in Boston, and some of his most memorable moments.
Betts broke into the big leagues in 2014 after tearing his way through the minors. Red Sox fans had heard he was a special player, and they got their first glimpse of it when he collected his first major league hit, in his first start, at Yankee Stadium of all places.
During Betts' first two seasons in Boston the Red Sox struggled as a team. But that didn't stop Mookie from being a one-man highlight real.
Take this game in September 2015 for example. With the Sox already out of the playoff race, Betts still laid it all on line, crashing into the right field wall at Fenway Park to seal a win against the Baltimore Orioles.
2016 was the year Betts made the transition from "young talent" to "star player."
He batted .318 to go along with 31 home runs, 113 RBI's and 122 runs scored. He also collected his first Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Awards, gaining him national recognition, finishing second in AL MVP voting.
In 2017 Betts continued his tear across baseball, providing highlight after highlight, and continuing to come through in the clutch.
MLB put together his 10 best moments, with his game-winning three run home run against the Milwaukee Brewers taking the top spot.
2018 was a special year for baseball in Boston. The Red Sox set their Franchise-record for wins in a season, and they won the World Series, led by who else? Mookie Betts.
That year Betts captured the AL MVP, leading the league in runs (129), batting average (.346) and slugging percentage (.640) while posting career highs in home runs (32) and stolen bases (30).
That season also provided his signature career moment, a 13 pitch at-bat capped off by a Grand Slam over the Green Monster.
While he and the team both took a step back last year from their record setting 2018 season, Betts still had his moments. He showed off his arm strength by gunning down a runner from the right field corner trying to reach third base.
Only a few players in the history of the game could make this throw.
Those are just a few of the memories Mookie has provided Red Sox fans over the years, and the Dodgers know they are getting a once-in-a-lifetime type of talent.
WBZ NewsRadio's James Rojas spoke to fans, who say Mookie Betts will be missed in Boston. Listen here:
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(Photo: Getty Images)