‘New’ role second nature to Betts
It wasn’t difficult to tell how Mookie Betts felt about playing second base last night for the first time since 2014.
The first chance he had to field a grounder in the second inning of the Red Sox’ 4-1 win over the Yankees, Betts “tackled it,” manager Alex Cora said, falling to the ground to ensure he had it, then throwing to first for the out.
He was smiling for almost the entire inning after moving from right field because of an injury to starting second baseman Ian Kinsler.
“It was like a dream come true,” Betts said. “I think it’s been since 2014 since I’ve been in the infield, but that’s why I take my groundballs and do all that early work, just in case.”
Betts played mostly second base coming up through the minor leagues, but with Dustin Pedroia entrenched at second, it made more sense for the Red Sox to move him to the outfield. He dazzled in center field in 2015, then took over in right and has won the Gold Glove each of the last two seasons.
But if Betts had it his way, it sounds like he would be in the infield.
Moving to the outfield, “I was kind of sad,” he said. “(Second base) was something I’ve grown up playing, and I had to go do something else. Going back there today, it was definitely like a dream come true. I’ll probably relive those moments for the rest of my life.”
Cora said Betts is an option at second and third base going forward, but last night was more of an emergency situation, given Kinsler and Xander Bogaerts both were hurt.
“He’s that good of an athlete,” Cora said. “It’s just a matter of, when you have your whole personnel available, obviously it’s not an option. But we were a little short today.”
With Cora ejected in the first inning, Betts lobbied bench coach Ron Roenicke to play second.
“I don’t know if he told me, but I kind of asked if I could play second,” Betts said.
Betts had two chances and made both of them.