But by means of each sizzling streak Betts had this season, his message remained the identical.
“I just need to make sure it happens when it matters,” Betts mentioned.
It’s the mentality Betts has at all times had, however it took a totally different that means heading into the 2024 season. Betts — together with Freddie Freeman – didn’t produce at the clip everybody has grown accustomed to from the two stars. Betts and Freeman mixed to go 1-for-21 in the three-game sweep in opposition to the D-backs.
For Betts, it was the first time in his adorned profession that he was held hitless in a postseason sequence. It was a quick pattern dimension, however that didn’t cease Betts from continuously eager about final 12 months’s failure and dropping sleep over it.
“To go out and not have success, I don’t know what else to possibly do,” Betts mentioned. “You get to a point where you’re like, ‘I’ve done everything possible that I know to be successful and I wasn’t.’ It just crushes you, bro. It crushes you. Especially during a time when the team needs you, everyone needs you. That’s what sucks.”
Having Shohei Ohtani, Freeman and the remainder of the Dodgers’ star-studded lineup ought to assist Betts not put all the strain on his shoulders. But Betts additionally understands his accountability as a star participant.
After coming out 4 instances in opposition to the Padres in the final regular-season sequence between the two division rivals, Betts spent greater than an hour the following day inside the batting cage engaged on his swing and mechanics. Teammates estimated Betts took someplace between 300 and 400 swings.
He did it once more after being taken out of the sport early Sept. 27 in opposition to the Rockies. It’s commonplace for Betts to grind by means of his swing all through the season. But the depth has heightened this season. The postseason failure is normally entrance of thoughts.
“I still haven’t,” Betts mentioned, when requested how lengthy it took to maneuver on from final October. “Obviously when you go home, you can kind of do what you can to shut that part out. It still eats at you. It still does right now. Last year kills me just to even think about it. But the more I keep looking back there, the less I’m looking forward to the next opportunity.”
Betts has been on either side of success and failure all through his profession. He has performed integral components of two groups which have received the World Series, together with being the lacking piece throughout the Dodgers’ 2020 title run.
On the different hand, Betts has additionally skilled postseason failure, which has been heightened the final two Octobers. The accountability that comes with being a star participant is one thing Betts absolutely understands at this level in his profession.
On Saturday, Betts will get one other alternative so as to add a chapter to his possible Hall of Fame profession. It’s the second he’s been ready for since the Dodgers have been swept out of the postseason a 12 months in the past.
“He’s looking forward to another opportunity to perform in the postseason,” mentioned Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts. “He’s as prepared as any player I’ve seen. He certainly wants to show well, and obviously, we’re all judged on the postseason. That’s part of it.”
