Betts brings to memory one heck of a player.

[dustcover]

The 'Big Cat', Johnny Mize.

Betts now has two different seasons of two games with three homers -- he did the same thing in 2016. That puts him in a class with just one other person all-time: Mize. The former slugging first baseman made his dinger marks in 1938 and 1940.

But after a stellar career with the Cardinals and Giants, the Yankees acquired him in 1949 for the final 5 years of his illustrious career. It was in that time frame, I think 1950, that I witnessed him come up to bat in the late innings of a game at Fenway. And as Mize, so commonly referred to as 'Big Jawn', made his way to the on-deck circle, literally, a hush came over the crowd. I kid you not.

I can't recall the Sox pitcher, but he served one up, and 'Big Jawn' right on cue, deposited it in the right field stands. It didn't make me too happy at the time, particularly since the Red Sox went down to defeat that day. But he left a truly memorable impression in my mind of just how awesome a player he was.

[Spudboy]

The 'Big Cat', Johnny Mize.

Betts now has two different seasons of two games with three homers -- he did the same thing in 2016. That puts him in a class with just one other person all-time: Mize. The former slugging first baseman made his dinger marks in 1938 and 1940.

But after a stellar career with the Cardinals and Giants, the Yankees acquired him in 1949 for the final 5 years of his illustrious career. It was in that time frame, I think 1950, that I witnessed him come up to bat in the late innings of a game at Fenway. And as Mize, so commonly referred to as 'Big Jawn', made his way to the on-deck circle, literally, a hush came over the crowd. I kid you not.

I can't recall the Sox pitcher, but he served one up, and 'Big Jawn' right on cue, deposited it in the right field stands. It didn't make me too happy at the time, particularly since the Red Sox went down to defeat that day. But he left a truly memorable impression in my mind of just how awesome a player he was.

Great stuff. I love hearing stories like this.

[cp176]

Great stuff. I love hearing stories like this.

Me too - we go back a ways (me a little further I guess - but I don't act my age) but we got a couple of guys who post here that we should be very pleased about regardless if we from time to time disagree with what they might say. These stories represent a good chunk of Red Sox history. Very important for us to read and maybe even remember. My Grandfather was an outstanding catcher in CT prior to 1920. Local teams were a way of life for the folks back in the day. Subsequently my Mom's favorite player was Sammy White. She got me hooked on the Sox at a very early age.

[Sox75]

Barring some unforeseen twist of fate, in Mookie, we are seeing the rise of a truly generational ALL-Star, all time player.

One of the top 5 - 10 players in the game. The kid is something special!

It goes against my superstitious nature to even suggest such a grandiose thing, but this kid transcends superstition.

Sox need to bite the bullet and pay him top dollar NOW!!!! BEFORE he becomes cost prohibitive, when the bidding war begins! One we can not win. Mookie is this special!

At one point, I delussionally thought Beni could be as good?? Beni will be a great player eventually, but Mookie is in a league of his own!

[jacksonianmarch]

Betts brings to mind a Willie Mays comp. Fast, great fielder, fast baserunner, power, great arm, high BA's, etc. He is becoming a generational talent. He just needs to show he can be bonkers in terms of production on a year to year basis. Last year was a dismal showing for him, although still better than 95% of baseball

[OH FOY!]

This to me better comparable player too. ^^^ For me at least I have to compare Positions.

[notin]

Johnny Mize remains the only player in MLB history to hit 50 home runs and strike out less than 50 times in the same season (1947, 51 HRs, 42K). With 11HRs and 13 strike outs through 30 games, Betts is on pace to come close.

Not that I care if he strikes out 70 times...

[Maxbialystock]

Mays is the right guy to compare. About the same size, too, at 5'10". Five tools. 338 SB's and 660 dingers, but maybe better defensively. When he entered the HOF he said he never saw anyone better, and I agree with that. Kinda neat that Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947 so Mays could make it to the Giants in 1951 at age 20 on May 24, just 18 days past his 20th birthday. He was 23 when he made that amazing catch in a very deep Polo Grounds centerfield against Vic Wertz in the 1954 WS. Same year he was NL MVP and won Hickok--and his one and only WS. Before that 2 years in the Army, missing 266 games.

[dustcover]

Can't argue with the Mays comparison, but I also see a lot of parallels to Roberto Clemente as well, including position of RF.

[cp176]

Mays and Clemente - I feel sorry for the younger folk who never saw these guys play. I was lucky enough to see Williams in his last year but Mays for me is still the best that I have seen. Soup to nuts with this guy - he had it all and could do it all.
We don't have any idea what the future holds for Betts but I think that he is one of the very few players that I have seen over the years who has the potential to some day be considered one of the greats as well.

[Spudboy]

Mays and Clemente - I feel sorry for the younger folk who never saw these guys play. I was lucky enough to see Williams in his last year but Mays for me is still the best that I have seen. Soup to nuts with this guy - he had it all and could do it all.
We don't have any idea what the future holds for Betts but I think that he is one of the very few players that I have seen over the years who has the potential to some day be considered one of the greats as well.

I saw Mays, Clememte, and another five tool player Mickey Mantel, all play when I was just getting into baseball in the mid-'60s.

Mays was all but all done when I saw him with the Mets late in his career. Clemente was one of those incredible forbidden fruit players from the NL that you wish you could see more often.

Mantel had no knees and could not run. His liver was well on it's way to being cirrhotic.

[Slasher9]

please DD don't EFF this one up.....sign the kid to a lifetime contract.

when all is said and done people will compare Mays to Betts.............

[cp176]

I saw Mays, Clememte, and another five tool player Mickey Mantel, all play when I was just getting into baseball in the mid-'60s.

Mays was all but all done when I saw him with the Mets late in his career. Clemente was one of those incredible forbidden fruit players from the NL that you wish you could see more often.

Mantel had no knees and could not run. His liver was well on it's way to being cirrhotic.

I get caught up in those old days because I loved the game more then than I do now. Maybe my memory has made some of those great players better than they were. Remember that old Giants outfield - Felipe Alou, Willie Mays, and Orlando Cepeda (before the major knee issues). When a nearly crippled Cepeda was signed by the Sox, he could still swing the bat but he had a hard time just getting to first base.
Also even though I didn't care much for the Yankees, Mickey Mantle has to be mentioned as being one of the great talents of all time.

[notin]

I get caught up in those old days because I loved the game more then than I do now. Maybe my memory has made some of those great players better than they were. Remember that old Giants outfield - Felipe Alou, Willie Mays, and Orlando Cepeda (before the major knee issues). When a nearly crippled Cepeda was signed by the Sox, he could still swing the bat but he had a hard time just getting to first base.
Also even though I didn't care much for the Yankees, Mickey Mantle has to be mentioned as being one of the great talents of all time.

Is Mantle even the best Yankee centerfielder of all time?

[cp176]

Is Mantle even the best Yankee centerfielder of all time?

In my time, i think so. Who else did you have in mind?