As Black baseball stars continue to make waves around the baseball world, one in particular has represented the bunch as well as anyone on and off of the field.
Following an incredible season, it’s now former AL MVP Mookie Betts’ turn to grace the 2023 MLBbro.com Player of the Year award.
Third Time’s A Charm
Betts has become the third winner of the MLBbro Player of the Year honor, with now-World Series champion Marcus Semien taking the award in 2021 before Bronx Bomber Aaron Judge earned the honor in 2022.
Betts followed suit, being acknowledged as one of the best in the game. Being selected as a First Team All-MLB player recently also solidifies his elite status.
How Did Mookie Betts Fare In 2023?
While Betts was just shy of another MVP nod, he had an historical season where he tallied a career-high 39 home runs and earned his sixth Silver Slugger Award. As a lethal leadoff hitter, Betts earned a solo spot in MLB record books for RBI from the top of the order after a two-RBI double on Sept. 23 against the Giants — bringing him to 105.
After making a move to the infield, notching 70 appearances at second base and 16 at shortstop, the 2022 Golden Glover only made five errors and continue his presence as a dominant player on defense and elevated him to most versatile player in the game, along with Shohei Ohtani.
This led to Betts being moved to second base as an everyday player for the upcoming season — the position he was drafted to play back in 2011.
Everyone Loves Mookie
Betts’ on-field contributions are far from the full-picture considering what he has to offer. Betts started his career with the Red Sox, where he won the aforementioned MVP award as well as the World Series before being traded and re-upping in Los Angeles on a big-money deal.
When he got to the Dodgers, Betts immediately captured his second World Series championship and it made the Dodgers a new destination spot for big-time stars like Trea Turner, Freddie Freeman, J.D. Martinez and now the $700 million man in Shohei Ohtani.
This wave was something to be expected from a team led by a guy like Betts.
MLB legend Albert Pujols only spent one season with the star, but still told Mlbbro.com that he would build a team around Betts if he owned a team.
“That’s one of the first guys I’d pick,” Pujols said. “ (He’s) quiet, respect the game, plays the game hard, great teammate.”
Helping Out The Bros
As MLBbro Player of the Year, Betts solidified his case with his contributions towards increasing diversity in baseball. In an interview with MLBbro.com’s Nick Hamilton, Betts made it a goal of his to bring culture into baseball and attract his community to the game.
“The goal that I set out to accomplish, which is to get Blacks in baseball,” Betts said. “Not necessarily on the field but just around the field. Maybe it’s front office.”
Betts continued to explain that he wanted to get people out of the streets and help them become more success in life. With Betts’ on and off-field successes, he earns the MLBbro Player of the Year honor and continues to lead the way as one of the illuminating stars of MLB.
“All Rise” was the anthem all 2022 season for the Yankees as Aaron Judge bet on himself and put together one of the greatest offensive seasons in MLB history. Appearing in a career-best 157 games, Judge was the driving force behind the American League’s best offense. He set career highs in batting average (.311), OBP (.425), slugging (.686), OPS (1.111), hits (177), runs (133), doubles (28), stolen bases (16), and of course home runs (62), and RBI (131).
His 62 home runs set the new Yankees and American League record and Judge nearly claimed the triple crown. He did take home the American League MVP with 98 percent of the first-place votes to go along with three AL Player of the Week awards and three AL Player of the Month awards. Let’s not forget his abundance of Home Boi Highlights.
His reward? A nine-year, $360 million deal to stay in The Bronx and try to help bring the Yankees that elusive 28th world championship.
Malik Wright interviews newly acquired Texas Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien. The MLBbro is coming off an historic season where he hit more single-season homers than any second baseman in MLB history (45). He talks about moving to Texas, the Rangers organization, MLB lockout and more.
Rob Parker salutes Texas Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien for an epic 2021 season with the following MLBbro.com Player of the Year edition of Home Boi Highlights
We have had a blast covering our MLBbros this season, and the fact that we are able to have this award is very special.
If you watched Semien this past season, you’ll see that he was a walking highlight reel.
Semien’s career was already on an upward trajectory before the Oakland Athletics decided he wasn’t worth a long term investment coming off the COVID season.
Going into the 2021 season, Semien was determined to have a better season and he knew that all he needed was a chance.
When the Blue Jays gave him an opportunity he made the most of it and did not disappoint.
He finished the 2021 season with a .265 batting average, a .334 on base percentage and a .538 slugging percentage, while switching from shortstop to second base.
And let’s not forget his 45 home runs, which broke Davey Johnson’s record for most home runs in a season by a second baseman.
Oh…and he won a Gold Glove Award too. This man was on a mission and his performance got him paid.
The Rangers decided to sign him to a seven-year contract, worth $175 million.
Semien will now be playing for his third MLB team in three years. But he can call the state of Texas his home for a while.
Texas made sure they jumped on the 2021 All-Star as they have faith he can help turn a 100-loss team around heading into the 2022 season.
There’s no doubt that Semien will provide that spark on the offensive and defensive side for the Rangers.
And he will have the pleasure of playing up the middle alongside another All-Star and World Series champion in SS Corey Seager.
The Rangers are going to make some noise this year with Semien in the lineup and he’ll be ready to show everyone that his 2021 season was a real elevation.
Semien just continues to rack up awards. Congrats on a memorable season and winning the inaugural MLBBro of the Year Award.
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