Another day, another page in the history books for 30-year-old Dodgers infielder/outfielder Mookie Betts.

In the Dodgers 10-5 pounding of the Angels of Anaheim on Saturday, the (now) seven-time All-Star, six-time Gold Glove winner, five-time Silver Slugger, two-time World Series champion, former MLB MVP, and former MLB Player of the Year hit his 10th leadoff home run this season, becoming the first player in MLB history to hit 10 leadoff home runs before the All-Star break, surpassing the previous record of nine set by Toronto Blue Jays outfielder George Springer in 2017 and tied former Dodgers outfielder Joc Pederson‘s 10 leadoff home runs for the season in 2019 – and we’re only at the halfway point of the season.

Betts’ 408-foot leadoff home run to left-center field on Saturday was also his team-leading 26th home run of the season and the first of what would be five Dodgers home runs on the night for the second consecutive night of their brief two-game interleague series against the Halos at Dodger Stadium.

“I would have to say it’s the best tear he’s been on,” Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman, who also homered on Saturday, said of Betts postgame. “I would have to go back and look at the 2018 season when he won the MVP. It seems like every swing he’s barreling up the ball.”

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts agreed with his All-Star first baseman, especially about the timing of Betts’ “tear.”

“I think the only guy that doesn’t want the break is Mookie. This guy is on fire right now,” Roberts told SportsNet LA’s Kirsten Watson after his team’s fourth straight win, fifth in their last six games, and 12th in their last 17. “Everything he hits seems like it’s going over the wall,” added the Dodgers skipper.

Keep that record book open and those pens handy Dodgers – and baseball – fans.

Play Ball!

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