New York Yankees legend Derek Jeter gave Mookie Betts his flowers after recreating The Captain’s iconic jump-throw during Game 3 of the NLCS.
Betts, who recently moved over to shortstop full-time this season, made a big play during the closing stages of Game 3, grabbing a grounder with his backhand and jumping in the air to generate enough power on the throw to get the runner out at first base.
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The play came in the top of the ninth inning, and Betts was forced to hop it into the ground and then into Freddie Freeman’s glove.
It was another highlight in what has been a great defensive season at shortstop for Betts, which earned him a gold glove finalist nod.
After the game, on the Fox broadcast, Jeter gave his take on the play, making a tongue-in-cheek remark before praising the play from Betts.
“Mookie bounced it. I mean, you’ve got to try and get it there through the air all the way. But I’ll give it to him,” Jeter said.
“What people don’t realize, because of all the stars that the Dodgers have, is what Mookie Betts is doing. Second base, right field, shortstop, flip again, go back. It’s not that easy. I know we give Ohtani a lot of credit because he is DHing and pitching. That’s not easy to move around the diamond like that.”
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On Friday, after the conclusion of Game 4 and the Dodgers’ clinching the series, Betts was asked about Derek Jeter’s comments by Doug McKain of Dodgers Nation.
“Yeah, I’m not Derek Jeter, I’m not him. I’ll take my one-hop as long as he’s out. That’s all that matters,” Betts said with a smile.
Betts has come a long way since his poor stint at shortstop last season, when he was tasked with filling in due to a run of injuries. The former MVP eventually moved out of short, but promised to work on his fielding and throwing over the offseason and try again.
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This season, Betts has proved that he can be an elite shortstop when he is given time to prepare — yet another achievement in his illustrious career.
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