LOS ANGELES – The amazing spells of Mookie magic were on full display during the month of May. Mookie Betts not only had one of the best months of any player this season, but also had one of the best months in the illustrious history of the Dodgers.
In the 28 games that Betts suited up for, he had a batting average of .342, with 12 home runs, and 27 RBI, with an on-base percentage of .411, and a slugging percentage of .741, along with reaching 85 total bases.
Betts had arguably the best all-around month any Dodger has had since legend Duke Snider in August of 1953, when he batted .347, with 15 home runs, and 41 RBI, which are both tied for highest all-time by a Dodger in a single month.
What really stands out with Betts’ outstanding month is the number of runs scored (31). That was the most runs scored by a Dodger in a month since Jim Gilliam in August of 1953 as well, when he ended up scoring 32 runs for the team.
With Mookie Betts' home run, he has set the Los Angeles Dodgers record for most runs in the month of May — 30. Babe Herman has the franchise record with 32 runs scored in May 1930.
— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) May 28, 2022
Betts had several records during the month and was able to reach milestones that have not been reached for several years. His 85 total bases were the most by a Dodger since Adrian Beltre in 2004, when he had 87. His 12 home runs tie him with the greatest MLBbro catcher in history, Roy Campanella, for most homers in the month of May.
His 31 runs were also the first time a Dodger scored 30 or more runs in a month since Snider in 1954, as Mookie became the eighth Dodger to reach 30 runs in a month. By scoring his 50th run on May 30th, which was only his 48th game of the season, the former NL MVP became the fastest to reach 50 runs since Lance Berkman of the Astros in 2008 (48 games). He’s also the fastest Dodger to reach 50 runs in one season since Babe Herman in 1930.
Betts Snubbed For NL Player of The Month ?
While Betts had his terrific May, he was not named the NL Player of the Month. He most likely would have had that honor if it was not for Paul Goldschmidt of the St. Louis Cardinals and his mind blowing .404 batting average.
Looking forward, Betts making the All-Star game is essentially a lock, especially since the game will be in Los Angeles and he goes every season just about. While the season may still be young, the NL MVP race is starting to be tracked more and more, and Betts to this point has one of the best statistical résumés of the bunch. Plus, his team wins.
If he continues to pull the tricks he has up his sleeve for the next 100 games, then another MVP award is within his grasp.
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