Most of us learned very early in life that there are two basic types of people in this world: those who Talk the Talk, and those who Walk the Walk.

Dodgers future Hall of Fame right fielder Mookie Betts is Walking the Walk.

There were some, many perhaps, who thought that the 12-year / $365 million contract extension that the Dodgers signed the 27-year-old Nashville, TN native and fifth-round draft pick by the Bostin Red Sox in 2011 to on July 22, 2020, was beyond ludicrous, saying ‘No one is worth that kind of money.‘ Funny; you don’t seem to hear that much anymore, do you?

With only eight games remaining in the COVID-19-shortened 2020 regular season and a playoff berth already guaranteed, Betts is only slashing .304 / .377 / .586 / .963 and is currently leading the National League with his 16 home runs. And for good measure, he is also leading the team with his 39 RBI.

But that’s only the half of it. In addition to being the team leader on the field, Betts has also become the team leader in the Dodgers clubhouse; and I say this with no disrespect whatsoever to Dodgers’ longtime unofficial team captain Justin Turner.

During Friday night’s 15-3 rout of the NL West fourth-place Colorado Rockies at Coors Field, Betts went 2-for-5 with a single, a home run, a walk, and three RBI in his six plate appearances. But it’s what he said after the game in his postgame Zoom press conference that even the most skeptical Mookie Betts fan will – or at least should – appreciate.

“We need to continue to put pressure on teams and play like we’re going to play in the playoffs,” Betts said when asked about how important it was for him to be atop the National League home run leaderboard. “What this means for a team – there’s a lot of guys in here – a lot of hits, a lot of RBIs, and so for our guys, tonight we did a great job of grinding through the game today.”

How’s that for turning a ‘me’ question into an ‘us’ answer?

“It’s huge, it’s huge,” Betts answered when asked how important it was for several of his slumping teammates to have a breakout night. “I think if we could just ride this wave on through the playoffs, we should be just fine.”

Asked if playing at mile-high Coors Field was a ‘tonic’ for their success, Betts yet again Walked the Walk.

I think, no matter where we play, I think we’ve done a pretty good job of applying pressure – not giving away at-bats, not very many if we do,” Betts said. “The ‘pen did an amazing job of keeping them off the board, so we’ve got to give credit there. But I think, obviously, it’s been a team effort, and doing a pretty good job.”

Betts was then asked if he can ‘smell’ the playoffs.

“Absolutely. I don’t even know how many days away, but you can’t just turn on the playoffs,” he answered. “You have to play throughout the season the same you play in the playoffs, and that way, nothing to do but attack. So I think we’re doing a good job with that and we just have to continue to do it.”

Betts also acknowledged that the team’s shoddy play against the San Diego Padres earlier in the week at Petco Park was a wake-up call for them.

“I think that was kind of a punch in the mouth and we responded well, and we have to just continue to play our game,” he said.

And now the good part.

When it was pointed out to Betts that Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had recently said that he was most surprised by Betts’ power for his size (5′-9″ / 180 pounds), Betts gave credit (go figure) to the two most important people in his life.

“When I was a kid, you know, four or five years old, my mom and my dad would always tell me, ‘Hit it over their head,’ said Betts. “We were always in the yard working on hitting it hard, so this is something I’ve been doing my whole life. Nothing new for me.”

Asked where that power comes from, Betts once again gave credit where credit is due.

“That’s a God-given ability; I have no idea,” he answered. “I just know I’m able to do it, and so I’m enjoying it.”

Betts was then asked what it is about the Dodgers line-up that can be especially effective when they get into the postseason.

“I think just there’s no at-bats off, there’s nobody (opposing pitchers) who can say ‘Okay, I’m just going to attach this guy, pitch around this guy;’ because you’d pretty much have to pitch around everybody,” Betts answered, yet again giving credit to ‘everybody.’ “So I think everybody can hurt you and with that. It’s tough for pitchers just to make it through two, three, four times in the lineup, and I think we’ve done a great job of running counts up.

“Singles here, singles there, obviously we hit our home runs, but I think today was one of those games where we just took our hits, and that’s how we scored so many,” he added.

It goes without saying – especially to Mookie Betts – that he is a strong candidate to win the 2020 National League MVP; this to go along with the one he won in the American League in 2018 while with the World Series-Champion (ugh) Boston Red Sox. But as you would expect, Betts quickly dismissed this notion and admitted that he hasn’t even been following the chatter in the media or on social media.

“I don’t pay any attention to it, I’m just doing what I can to win a World Series. I am who I am,” Betts said. “Those things come playing the game. You can’t think about those things, you think about the game.

“I have one goal, and that’s to win a World Series, and whatever comes will come.

Walking the Walk.

Play Ball!