LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers hit the field Monday afternoon with the World Series still a few days away and the opponent was still unknown at that point. Mookie Betts didn’t mind. He sounded rested, centered, and focused on the small things that build toward the big one.
“No, not at all,” Betts said when asked if not knowing the opponent changes anything. “These days, just rest up and keep sharpening your skills and be ready for whoever on Friday.” He kept the personal approach small on purpose. “Right now I don’t have one,” he said when asked about his mindset. “I’m just enjoying these days and being present in the moment, hanging out with the boys, and we’ll be ready for Friday.”
The break brings benefits and challenges. “Yes and no,” he said about the time off. “It’s nice to get everybody a deep breath and rest up, but it’s also about staying in a rhythm. We didn’t have that choice, so we’ll enjoy the break and be ready to go.”
Lessons from last year help, but he knows everyone’s engine runs a little differently. “Sure,” he said when asked if the previous layoff offers a blueprint. “Everybody has their own experience with it. Some guys are hitting every day, some guys are resetting and taking it slow. It depends on who you are.” He gave no forecast on the one area everyone loves to debate: runners left on base. Betts shrugged off the guesswork. “We’ll address that situation when it happens.”
What the team can control right now is routine and togetherness. “Just here, practicing,” he said. “We’ve been together so much throughout the year, so that plays a part. Guys want to enjoy a little family time before we get rolling again, so it’s a balance. When you’re here, be present and hang out with the boys. When you go home, turn your brain off. You just have to be wherever you are.”
He was asked to look back at the historic show Shohei Ohtani put on. Betts appreciated it, then turned the page. “It’s no more historic than you all have already said,” he said. “It’s amazing, and I don’t want to rain on the parade, but it’s done and over with. We have to focus on Friday and hopefully we can do it this series too.”
His own season has been a climb, and he allowed himself a small nod to that. “A little bit,” he said when asked if he’s reflected on the turnaround. “I feel like I’ve contributed to the wins, especially late. It doesn’t have to be offensively. It can be defensively or both. It feels pretty good to know I helped.” Then he zoomed back in. “Where we started versus where we finished shows me to stay in the moment. Help the boys win in this inning, in this moment. That’s all you can control.”
The city is already humming, and Mookie hears it. “Absolutely,” he said about the buzz. “Whether it’s Friday or Monday, everybody’s going to be here. Everybody’s locked and loaded, ready to go, ready to see some history, and we’re ready to make it.” He smiled at the idea of what another title would mean. “It would mean the world. We’re on our way to doing it. You just have to do it one step at a time.”
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