DENVER — Mookie Betts is now officially named All-Star Game Starter — along with teammates Freddie Freeman and JD Martinez — seven-time All-Star Betts has committed to participate in his first T-Mobile Home Run Derby on July 10 at T-Mobile Park in Seattle.
Betts joins Toronto’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Seattle’s Julio Rodriguez as the three players who have committed so far to this year’s event.
“You know, wife. He told me, ‘You’ve got to do it,'” Betts said with a smile Thursday at Coors Field. “It’s the last thing I don’t do, so I’m going to do it. Have fun and let’s see what happens.”
In the past, Betts resisted entering the Derby because of the swings it required. But at 30, Betts knows he needs to start taking advantage of the opportunities he can.
Betts has accomplished everything in the big leagues, from winning the 2018 AL MVP award to making seven All-Star games to winning two World Series rings. Now, the derby will see action for the first time.
Bets’ goal during the event? Have fun…and, as his mother, Diana, told him over the phone when he came up with the idea, never finish it.
“I’m 5 feet 9 (1.70 meters) and I weigh 170 pounds (70 kg),” Betts recalled. “I don’t think a lot of guys my size win the home run derby. When my mother was told, she was not very amused. He told me: ‘I didn’t finish you last, so finishing last is not the goal now’… I think he didn’t want to see his son lose.
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