'I just have one goal': Mookie prioritizing World Series over MVP honors
All-Star outfielder Mookie Betts has come as advertised since his arrival in Hollywood.
And while he hasn't missed a beat with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Betts insists he's more focused on ending a World Series drought than winning the NL MVP award.
"I don't pay any attention to it," Betts said, according to Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register. "I'm just doing what I can to win a World Series. I am who I am. Those things I think come from playing the game. You can't think about those things and think about the game as well. I just have one goal and that's to win the World Series. Whatever comes, comes."
The Dodgers have dominated the NL West in recent years, earning seven consecutive division titles, but haven't won the Fall Classic since 1988.
After clubbing a sixth-inning long ball against the Colorado Rockies on Friday night, Betts pulled back into the NL home run lead with 16, a mark later matched by San Diego Padres infielder - and fellow MVP candidate - Manny Machado.
In addition to the power, Betts has hit .306/.380/.607 with nine stolen bases in 49 games. And since he went 3-for-20 with no extra-base hits to open the season, Betts is batting .324 with a 1.059 OPS.
He'll be in tough to claim the NL hardware over Padres teammates Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. and Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman, but Betts becoming only the second player to win an MVP in both leagues (Frank Robinson being the other) remains in play entering the season's final week.