Slowly but surely, Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts is snapping out of his season-long slump. One of the reasons why is former Boston Red Sox teammate J.D. Martinez.
Last Tuesday, Betts ended an 0-for-22 slide which resulted in a career-worst five-game hitless streak. On Friday, Betts slugged his first home run since July 5.
According to the New York Post’s Jon Heyman, Betts’ turnaround started when Martinez traveled to Tampa during the first weekend of August and the pair hit the batting cage.
Martinez and Betts powered the Red Sox to the 2018 World Series title. They reunited in 2023 with the Dodgers.
MLB.com’s Sarah Wexler noted last week it’s been a tough season for Betts. It started “with a mysterious illness that saw him drop 18 pounds. He was recently away from the team following the death of his stepfather,” Wexler wrote.
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While Martinez has helped Betts’ bat come alive, the Dodgers star is still hitting a career-worst .240. His on-base percentage (.310), slugging percentage (.369) and OPS (.680) also are all-time lows for the future Hall of Famer.
Martinez last played in 2024 with the Mets. The designated hitter was a batting savant during his 14-year MLB career. The six-time All-Star carries a lifetime .283 batting average and hit least .300 five times.
The 37-year-old Martinez enjoyed his best season with the Red Sox, hitting 43 home runs while leading the majors in RBIs (130) and total bases (358). He finished fourth in voting for American League MVP, which went to Betts as the dynamic duo carried Boston to its fourth title in the 21st century.
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While with the Red Sox, Martinez drew praise time and again for his work on the side with Boston’s younger hitters. Should his playing days be over, Martinez could have a career in coaching.
“(The) Mets should hire JD Martinez as a hitting consultant,” Heyman posted on X Saturday. “(Mark) Vientos and others would benefit from his vast knowledge.”
