Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts joined elite company Wednesday by becoming the 40th player in MLB history — and the second in Red Sox history — to rack up 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases in a season.
30/30 club. pic.twitter.com/6Fn4zYDPP5
— Boston Red Sox (@RedSox) September 26, 2018
The milestone came after Betts stole second base in the second inning of a 19-3 rout of the Baltimore Orioles Wednesday afternoon. The last Boston player to reach this milestone? Jacoby Ellsbury back in 2011.
Cleveland’s José Ramírez was the first to reach the 30-30 club this season with 38 homers and 33 steals. But it’s the first time since 2012 — Ryan Braun (Brewers) and Mike Trout (Angels) — that a player put up those numbers.
“It’s a special accomplishment,” Betts said according to MLB.com. “I don’t know how much it really means, but to have your name as part of a group like that is pretty cool. I just try to do whatever I can to win the game.“
And as we know, the Red Sox are winning plenty of games. Following Wednesday’s rout, they are 107-51. That’s a franchise record. And they’re not done just yet. Neither is Mookie. Betts has hit 32 home runs and 30 stolen bases this season — career marks in both categories. Of course, the Red Sox outfielder has three games left to add to those totals this season.
And what better than a 30-30 season to add to Betts’ case for American League MVP? Not only did he etch his name in the history books, but it reminds baseball that he’s posted a great 2018 season statistically. He boasts a .343 batting average, .639 slugging percentage and 125 runs, leading the majors in each of those categories.
The Red Sox will close out the regular season with a series at home against the New York Yankees this weekend. In the meantime, they’ve already won the AL East. They are the No. 1 seed in the American League.
So now, there’s only one thing left for them to do.
