Dodgers Postseason: Mookie Betts Influenced By Kiké Hernández
10/16/2024 01:05 PM
Mookie Betts has already won two World Series in his career and earned plenty of individual accolades, but recent postseason success had become few and far between.
After going 0-for-11 in the 2023 postseason, he got off to another slow start in October this year. Betts was certainly aware of lack of contributions and began taking hundreds of swings each day in effort to emerge from the slump.
He has since gotten back on track, partly due to a new approach that Kiké Hernández is a proponent of, which has Betts embracing all of the emotions that come with the ups and downs of the postseason.
“I tried to stay calm, cool and collected, and I’m not sure it works that way. I think you have to ride the highs and the lows,” Betts said.
“It’s something new for me, an adjustment. But we’ve got guys in here that are leading the way and showing me how to do it. Kiké being a huge advocate for that and really getting me on that emotional train. I don’t want to stay on it, but I’ll jump on it for a little bit.”
During the National League Division Series, Betts produced a home run in back-to-back games. He nearly had a homer in three consecutive games if not for Jurickson Profar making an impressive catch at Dodger Stadium.
Betts’ offensive turnaround helped the Dodgers twice stave off elimination against the San Diego Padres and reach the NL Championship Series for the first time since 2021.
Mookie Betts turned off social media
Another adjustment Betts made this October was no longer going on social media and overcoming personal frustration as he and the Dodgers were locked in an emotional NLDS matchup with the Padres.
“I know my team did an amazing job,” Betts said. “My teammates did an amazing job trying to instill confidence in me. I had to turn off all social media because that was all negative. I had to get some positive vibes in me, and my team did it. And I worked hard and finally saw one fall and I think we’re all right now.”
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