ARLINGTON, Texas -- Let's begin with a thought that has been conveyed -- directly and indirectly -- so often by prominent members of the Los Angeles Dodgers that it might as well be considered a statement of fact: Mookie Betts has exceeded expectations.
Now let's consider why that seems so outrageous: Andrew Friedman, the Dodgers' president of baseball operations, gushed fervently and uncharacteristically when he introduced Betts in early February. He joked that he had followed his career so closely that Betts should consider "a restraining order" and said Betts would "blush" if he heard the way Friedman talked about him.