September 23rd, 2022 at 8:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka When the Dodgers released their starting lineup for Thursday’s series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium, there was one name very noticeably missing from it.
“Just a scheduled off day,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters pre-game about six-time All-Star, five-time Gold Glove Winner, four-time Silver Slugger winner, and 2018 MLB MVP Mookie Betts‘ ominous absence from his starting lineup.
Three hours later, the immortal words of beloved Hall of Fame Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully “And look who’s coming up,” echoed through the hearts and minds of every Dodger fan on the planet when the 29-year-old Nashville, TN native and fifth-round draft pick in 2011 out of Overton High School in Nashville stepped into the batter’s box with two outs and the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning with the game tied 2-2.
On a 3-2 count and on the seventh pitch of the unexpected (but very welcomed) at-bat, Betts lined a sharp single into left field for the dramatic Kirk Gibson-like 3-2 Dodgers walk-off win.
“It’s cool,” Betts said postgame. “Actually, I think that might be one of my first pinch-hit hits, so that part was pretty cool in itself. But we got a win and that’s all that really matters.”
(Ron Cervenka)
When asked about his very noticeable absence in the Dodgers dugout at the beginning of that now historic (or at least now memorable) ninth inning, Betts answered with what we all pretty much assumed.
“Yeah, I was in the cage hitting … just in case.”
As we all also pretty much assumed, and with Mookie being Mookie, it came as a surprise to no one when Roberts said that Betts was ready to play throughout the entire game.
“It was a scheduled off-day for a start, but Mookie, like all of our guys, you know, if there’s a big spot, be ready,” Roberts confirmed. “And so, he was preparing all game, which was a credit to him, and the spot just made sense. Once they brought in (Dbacks left-hander Joe) Mantiply right there, I wanted that spot to be Mookie.”
Good call, Doc.
…and well-played, Mookie.
Play Ball!
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@Dodgers I STILL can’t believe Mookie is an @Dodgers for a LONG time!!!!!