How Mookie Betts Set the Dodgers on a Championship Path

It’s easy to assume that Mookie Betts fit in with the Dodgers right away, but the truth is that he didn’t. After an offseason of trade rumors, he arrived at Camelback Ranch in February and immediately faced a few challenges: He didn’t know where the bathroom was. All his gloves were trimmed in Red Sox scarlet. And he didn’t entirely like what he saw from his new teammates.

Los Angeles had been to the World Series twice in the previous three years. It had lost both times. Betts thought he might be able to do something about that.

Eight months later, Betts and the Dodgers hoisted the commissioner’s trophy. For the past half-decade, L.A. has been one of the best teams in baseball. But it was only when the club added Betts that it achieved its goal, which is why he's earned Player of the Year honor. Betts often made his impact incrementally, but three moments especially set the Dodgers on their path to glory.