Boston Red Sox superstar Mookie Betts became the second player in 2018 to join the 30-30 club with a stolen base in the second inning of Wednesday’s 19-3 win against the Baltimore Orioles.
The 25-year-old heart of the Red Sox is now just the second player in franchise history to post a 30-30 season, joining Jacoby Ellsbury in 2011.
Betts joins the Cleveland Indians’ José Ramírez in the 30-30 club this season. The two superstars are the first players to join the 30-30 club since Mike Trout and Ryan Braun accomplished the feat in 2012. The last time more than one American League player accomplished the feat in a season was 2011 when Ellsbury and Ian Kinsler did it.
Ramirez and Betts’ 30-30 seasons are the 24th and 25th since the year 2000, and Betts’ is just the 40th player in to ever post a 30-30 season with his being the 61st in Major League history.
Betts has been one of the biggest reasons why the Boston Red Sox have the best record in baseball as the season approaches a close. Betts has been the hands-down best candidate for the American League Most Valuable Player Award and it is not even close. Betts adding a 30-30 season to his already incredible case is yet another thing that BBWAA writers can add to the laundry list of reasons to pick Betts for the MVP Award.