Mookie Betts trades bat for T.J. Friedl’s first career home run like a class act
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Mookie Betts traded his bat to a fan to get Cincinnati Reds’ T.J. Friedl’s first home run ball back.
Whenever fans head to ballparks, they always hope to catch a ball. In the rare event that a ball is hit in a fan’s direction and their hand rises among many to hold on to the ball that is blistering as it descends, they’ll have a souvenir forever. Maybe.
In some instances, fans have to give the ball back, usually when it is a memorable moment for the player who hit the ball. If the fans are really lucky, they will still get to leave with something as teams usually exchange memorabilia.
On Sunday, Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts facilitated one of these special moments.
Dodgers: Mookie Betts makes a fair trade for the Reds
When Cincinnati Reds rookie T.J. Friedl hit his first career home run into right field, Betts, was able to convince the fan who caught it to toss him the ball. Betts then threw it over to Cincinnati’s dugout.
Wow, this was so cool:
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) September 19, 2021
Mookie Betts apparently got the attention of the fan who caught TJ Friedl's 1st career hit & HR, who threw it back, and Betts tossed it over to the CIN dugout so Friedl can have it
Very cool awareness by all
BASEBALL IS THE BEST pic.twitter.com/THSWouNdaP
Betts would return to the outfield bringing his own bat, signed with a message, to give to the fan.
Michael Diddle of Portsmouth, Ohio, caught the ball from TJ Friedl’s first MLB hit, a home run. Dodgers RF watched the ball, asked for it and told Diddle “I got you.” In the bottom of the 7th, Betts came back with a signed bat pic.twitter.com/wVT8kh9vNX
— C. Trent Rosecrans (@ctrent) September 19, 2021
Betts, an incredible talent on the field, has always been a stand-up guy off of it. On Sunday afternoon, he was able to showcase his great character on the field as well. Springing into action to help create a special moment for an opposing player and a fan of the opposing team is just another example of what makes Mookie so special.
Los Angeles would go on to win the game 8-5, as Betts and the Dodgers prepare to defend their title this post season.
MLB playoff bracket and Wild Card update for September 19. dark. Next
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