Mookie Betts Wins Huge MLB Award Before World Series Game 3
The Los Angeles Dodgers host Game 3 of the 2025 World Series on Monday night against the Toronto Blue Jays.
With the series knotted at one game apiece, Monday’s contest is a pivotal battle that will give one team a significant edge moving forward in the best-of-seven set.
Prior to the game, Dodgers star shortstop and former Boston Red Sox legendary outfielder Mookie Betts was named the 2025 Roberto Clemente Award winner.
“Mookie Betts was named winner of the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award ‘for his many extraordinary efforts including supporting young people in a variety of ways and helping victims of the Los Angeles fires,'” Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe posted on Bluesky. “The award is based on character, community involvement and philanthropy.”
Betts is the sixth shortstop to ever win the honor since it was first awarded in 1971, joining Cal Ripken Jr. (1992), Barry Larkin (1993), Ozzie Smith (1995), Derek Jeter (2009) and Jimmy Rollins (2014). Betts is in his first season as a full-time shortstop as he began transitioning to the position last year following years of Gold Glove play in the outfield.
The 2018 AL MVP is also the fourth member of the Dodgers to ever win the award, following Steve Garvey (1981), Clayton Kershaw (2012) and Justin Turner (2022).
A pair of Red Sox legends have captured the honor; the late Tim Wakefield (2010) and Hall of Fame designated hitter David Ortiz (2011).
Relief pitcher Liam Hendriks was Boston’s nominee for the hardware in 2025, marking the sixth time he was a finalist for the award.
“The award is given annually to a player who demonstrates the values Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente displayed in his commitment to community and understanding the value of helping others,” a description of the award reads on MLB.com. “Each club nominates a player in September. The winner is selected from 30 nominees during the World Series. Originally the Commissioner’s Award, the honor was named for Clemente in 1973.”