Mookie Betts is the odds-on favorite to win American League MVP in 2018. Yet the 26-year-old superstar doesn’t think of himself as such. And that, according to his peers, has made all the difference.
In a recent piece for The Athletic, Hall of Fame baseball writer Peter Gammons spoke with Red Sox coaches and players about what motivates Betts. Surprisingly, a common theme appeared to be what Gammons described as “insecurities.”
“Mookie needs to be reminded that he’s as good as he is,” a Red Sox coach told Gammons. Instead of being a deficiency, however, the coach described that it’s a source of strength for the Boston outfielder.