Mookie: ‘Same game, just in a different uniform’
Betts, Price introduced at Dodger Stadium
Mookie Betts looked at ease in sweatpants and a hoodie as he was introduced as a member of the Dodgers on Wednesday afternoon in Los Angeles.
During a press conference set on a stage in the middle of the field at Dodger Stadium, Betts spoke to the field of reporters about the trade that ultimately ended his nine-year relationship with the Red Sox.
“For me, it’s just trying to get a place to live,” Betts said at the event, which was broadcasted live on MLB Network. “I was pretty much doing everything the same. I had a plane set, just didn’t know which way it was going to go. It was fun, stressful at times and fun at times. Glad it’s done.”
Betts called his time in Boston a “great chapter in my life” but said that once he accepted the idea he might be traded, it didn’t seem daunting.
“I’m going to play the same game, just in a different uniform,” he said.
Of course, Betts was also asked if he had interest in negotiating a long-term contract with the Dodgers before he hits free agency next off-season.
“Right now I just got here,” he said. “I’m still trying to find a house, not even thinking about that. I’m just focused on staying with 2020 and going from there.”
Sitting next to him on stage was David Price, who was all smiles as he answered questions about the trade.
“Once we found out we were coming, we were both excited,” Price said. “We’re happy to be here.”
While Betts is keeping his No. 50, Price is changing from No. 10 to No. 33 to honor his former mentor while with the Rays, James Shields.
Dodgers president and former Rays boss Andrew Friedman called Price “one of the greatest teammates I’ve ever seen. He was a huge part of the culture and success we had with the Rays.”
Price said he was excited to swing the bat with a National League team.
“Andrew knows how much I enjoy going out there and having fun,” Price said. “To be able to do that again, I’m very grateful for it.”
As for his time with the Red Sox, Price said he’ll remember that “we won a lot of games. We won three A.L. East division titles and won a World Series in 2018. And 2018 was very special in the end. Those are very good memories for myself.”
Price said he had some work done on his wrist in the offseason and expects to be fully healthy to begin spring training.
Friedman told the Los Angeles Times that the Dodgers also discussed trading for Betts with former Sox boss Dave Dombrowski last July, but “the Red Sox won a bunch of games in a row and the Red Sox stopped the discussions.”