Mookie Betts Ties Record for Most Leadoff Homers in First Half of MLB Season
LOS ANGELES – Mookie Betts, the All-Star outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers, made history on Saturday night by hitting his 10th leadoff homer of the season. This ties the record for the most leadoff homers in the first half of a major league season.
Betts’ impressive 408-foot solo shot came on the second pitch of the game against Angels starter Reid Detmers. It was his 26th home run of the season and equaled the mark set by San Francisco’s Bobby Bonds in 1973.
In addition to tying the record for most leadoff homers in the first half, Betts also tied Philadelphia’s Jimmy Rollins for seventh all-time with his 46th leadoff homer of his career. He also surpassed the Dodgers’ single-season record of nine leadoff homers, which he previously shared with Joc Pederson in 2019.
Teammate Freddie Freeman praised Betts’ performance, saying, “Seems like every swing he’s barreling up the ball. Sometimes breaks can come at the wrong time, but I think Mookie found something in his swing and he’s been able to lock it in. For 30, 35 games now, it’s been that special.”
According to ESPN Stats & Information, Betts’ achievement marks the ninth time in MLB history that a player has hit 10 leadoff homers in a season. The last player to do so was Jose Altuve with 12 leadoff homers last season. The all-time record for a season is 13, set by Alfonso Soriano in 2003.
Betts, who entered the game with a batting average of .277, had an outstanding performance overall. He went 3-for-4 with two homers, a double, and four RBIs in the Dodgers’ 11-4 victory over the Angels on Friday night.
As part of the All-Star festivities in Seattle, Betts is set to compete in the Home Run Derby on Monday. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts jokingly remarked, “Mookie might be the only guy that wants to play through the break.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
2) What other records did Mookie Betts break or tie with his performance in the game against the Angels
Mookie Betts Makes History with 10th Leadoff Homer, Tying First-Half Record
LOS ANGELES – Mookie Betts, the electrifying All-Star outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers, etched his name in the history books on Saturday night with his 10th leadoff home run of the season. This incredible feat ties the record for the most leadoff homers in the first half of a major league season.
Betts’ awe-inspiring feat occurred in the opening moments of the game against Angels starter Reid Detmers when he smashed a colossal 408-foot solo shot on just the second pitch. The crowd erupted in awe as Betts momentarily suspended gravity, propelling the ball deep into the night sky. The home run marked his 26th of the season and matched the record set by San Francisco’s Bobby Bonds in 1973.
In addition to equaling the record for most leadoff homers in the first half, Betts managed to also join the elite company of Philadelphia’s Jimmy Rollins, securing his 46th leadoff homer of his career. This ties him with Rollins for seventh place on the all-time list. But Betts didn’t stop there; he shattered another record by surpassing the Dodgers’ single-season record of nine leadoff homers, previously held by Joc Pederson in 2019.
Praise for Betts’ extraordinary performance poured in from all corners, with teammate Freddie Freeman marveling at his skills, stating, “Seems like every swing he’s barreling up the ball. Sometimes breaks can come at the wrong time, but I think Mookie found something in his swing and he’s been able to lock it in. For 30, 35 games now, it’s been that special.”
ESPN Stats & Information highlighted the significance of Betts’ achievement, revealing that this marks the ninth occurrence in MLB history of a player hitting 10 leadoff homers in a single season. The most recent player to achieve this feat was Jose Altuve, who hit 12 leadoff homers just last season. The all-time record for leadoff homers in a season stands at an astonishing 13, achieved by Alfonso Soriano in 2003.
Betts, with a formidable batting average of .277, delivered an exceptional performance across the board during the Dodgers’ resounding 11-4 win against the Angels on Friday night. He went three for four at bat, crushing two homers and adding a double while collecting a remarkable four RBIs.
As excitement builds towards the All-Star festivities in Seattle, Betts is poised to showcase his remarkable talents in the Home Run Derby on Monday. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts humorously remarked, “Mookie might be the only guy that wants to play through the break.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Mookie Betts continues to shine as he ties the all-time record with his 10th leadoff homer in the first half of the MLB season. A true force to be reckoned with, Betts constantly proves why he is one of the league’s top players.