The Los Angeles Dodgers are set for a rematch against the American League East division winner in this World Series and they are hoping for more of the same.
Last year, the Dodgers won the championship by beating the New York Yankees after they dominated the Toronto Blue Jays in the standings. This year, the Blue Jays earned a close divisional win over the Yankees before taking the American League pennant and earning the chance to face the Dodgers.
Last year’s World Series included some memorable moments between two of the sport’s most storied franchises. This year’s matchup promises more of the same, including some key defensive highlights from Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts.
Betts has taken on the everyday shortstop role for the Dodgers for the first time in his career this season, following multiple Gold Glove Awards in the outfield. As he reflected on his journey from first taking on that role at the beginning of the season to virtually mastering the position by this point, Betts sent a message on the first time he met a Yankees legend who is one of history’s best known performers at shortstop.
“Honestly, I remember the very first time I met (Derek) Jeter and I remember, 2014, I was shaking,” Betts told MLB Network during World Series media day on Thursday. “I never even said it, but yeah I was shaking. I remember meeting him and, obviously, he’s Derek Jeter, right? And to now be in some of the same conversations as some of the accolades he can do, it seems it’s all come full circle and just blessed.”
After serving as a major reason why the Dodgers beat the Yankees in last year’s Fall Classic, Betts is unlikely to curry too much favor among Yankees fans with his homage to Jeter. But as he looks to win a fourth career championship after taking on the shortstop role for one of baseball’s most successful franchises, Betts is suddenly drawing some parallels to the Yankees legend.
With that in mind, his glowing comments on Jeter paid a nice tribute.
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