Mookie Betts preparing for World Series of Bowling
Move over, Bo Jackson - the major leagues is boasting a new dual-sport star.
Boston Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts impressed many in his first full major-league season, managing a .291/.341/.479 slash line, while hitting 18 home runs. Despite his success on the diamond, the 23-year-old is about to make his professional debut in another sport - bowling.
Betts will be taking the lanes with over 200 other bowlers in the upcoming Professional Bowlers Association World Series of Bowling VII.
"I am really excited about that," Betts told Mike Organ of the Tennessean. "It's going to be a big challenge, but I'm looking forward to it."
While carving up the baseball field with a .509 batting average in his senior year of high school, Betts also led his bowling team to the state quarterfinals on the way to being named the 2010 Tennessean Bowler of the Year.
It appears Betts is ready to make a statement at the upcoming tournament, as he bowled a 300 just last week.
"I think that was my fourth 300 game," said Betts. "I'm pretty close to being as good as I was before I started playing pro ball. I'm about as good as I'm going to get right now. I just need more practice."
The (other) World Series begins at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev., on Monday.