Mookie Betts breaks down in tears after a thrilling win: he reveals why the entire Dodgers team was speechless.

LOS ANGELES — With his powerful swing and explosive performance, Mookie Betts is often considered the heart of the Dodgers. But few know that behind that Gold Glove hides a broken heart: from an unspoken goodbye, from a loved one who is gone forever, leaving a void that nothing can fill.

In March 2022, as the Dodgers were preparing for the new season, Mookie abruptly withdrew from several practice sessions without warning. A few days later, fans learned the truth: Mookie’s grandfather, who fueled his passion for baseball, had suddenly passed away.

I never got to thank him enough. He was the reason I played. He was the first person to take me to the field, throw me my first softball, and tell me, “Don’t be afraid, just enjoy it.”

—Mookie got emotional in an interview with ESPN.

During the funeral, Mookie wrote a long letter to his grandfather, intending to read it after the first game of the season as a tribute. But he died prematurely, and the letter never reached its recipient.

I kept it in my locker and looked at it before every game. It was my way of keeping it close.

Betts returned to the Dodgers’ lineup after two weeks, without commenting much on his absence. But those who paid attention noticed that he no longer celebrated after each home run like he used to. He simply looked up and placed his hand on his heart, as if his grandfather were still watching his every move.

And then, in the Father’s Day game, Mookie hit a leadoff home run in the ninth inning, the first he dedicated to his grandfather. After the game, he burst into tears on the field when asked about that swing.

It’s for him. I hear him calling me like before…

Coach Dave Roberts said at a press conference:

Mookie was more than a great player; he was a loving person. And we’re proud to be his family.

The entire Dodgers team wore “Pops”—Mookie’s grandfather’s nickname—on their armbands as a sign of condolence.

You may only see Mookie Betts in the highlights, the mind-blowing runs, and the incredible base slides. But behind the number 50 jersey is a grandson, a son, who is still learning to love life after losing a part of his soul.