Former Overton Star is One of Red Sox’s Best ‘Betts’
Former Overton High School three sport star Mookie Betts made his Major League debut this past Sunday for the Boston Red Sox on one of the biggest stages in baseball, an ESPN televised Sunday Night Game at Yankee Stadium in front of 48,124 fans. As he took his position in right field, Betts was welcomed to the majors almost immediately as future Hall of Famer Derek Jeter lined a single to right that Betts fielded smoothly on one hop and threw into the infield.
Former Overton Star Mookie Betts made his Major League debut at Yankee Stadium
With so much tradition and the rivalry between the two storied franchises, one would think a 21 year old would be overwhelmed. Betts seemed to be unfazed talking to the Associated Press.
“It was great,” said Betts. “I had jitters once I saw the first pitch, it was the same game. For the first game, it was a real incredible atmosphere. (The fans) weren’t too great though. But I was told what to expect so I was ready for it. I wasn’t going to put any other pressure on myself. They told me when I left the minors, to don’t change anything, so I’ll take that here and try to be aggressive and steal bases.”
Betts took an aggressive approach all night. For the game he went 1 for 3, made an ill-advised attempt on a diving catch in right field that resulted in a triple, was caught stealing and hit into double play in his much talked about major league debut. Betts also walked and scored in the sixth and grounded out in the eighth. Having reached base safely in 71 of 77 minor league games this year, he is arguably the most watched Red Sox rookie in a long time.
Playing right field for only the third time ever, Betts just went out and played the game instinctively. There will be time for adjustments along the way. He wanted to put on a good show for his parents and fiancé, who were in attendance. His first hit was pretty special for them. Betts also gained a fan from a former MLB player that shares the same nickname, even though his parents named him after former NBA star Mookie Blaylock.
“Tell that young man I’ll be rooting for him,” said former New York Met Mookie Wilson. “I really hope he plays well. He must be a good player if the Red Sox are bringing him up to play against the Yankees.”
Betts is debuting in a completely different light than what we are used to for the Red Sox. He’s getting his feet while the team is struggling and therefore is considered by some as a potential savior for a team, and a season, one that has been spiraling out of control. The very next night, Boston was two innings from being no-hit at Fenway Park by Chicago Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta. Fair or unfair, if Betts doesn’t provide a spark then it’s going to be disappointing. Because all indications from officials within the Red Sox organization and those who have seen him outside the organization, are that Betts is the most talented player they’ve seen this year.
In 2011, his senior year at Overton, Betts batted .509 with 30 steals and was an honorable mention inclusion for the Louisville Slugger High School All-American list. In 2010, his junior year at Overton, Betts batted .549 with 24 steals en route to an undefeated season. In November that year, Betts signed a letter of commitment to attend the University of Tennessee on a baseball and backgammon scholarship, also getting recruited by Vanderbilt University, Mississippi State University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Betts was also a standout basketball player, named MVP of the District 12-AAA league his senior season while averaging 14.1 points, nine assists, four rebounds and three steals per game; and also named Class AAA All-City Player of the Year. His junior year, Betts was named MVP of the District 12-AAA tournament. Betts also excelled in bowling and was named the Tennessee boys Bowler of the Year in 2010 with a high score of 290. His classmate, teammate and best friend at Overton is Cameron Lewis who this year was named an NAIA All American and HBCU Mid-Major Player of the Year.
Boston Red Sox player Mookie Betts and his former teammate NAIA All-American Cameron Lewis
“Man, I am so proud of Mook,” said Lewis. “He has pushed me to be great. We have played together since junior high. I know he is going to do great things. We talk all the time and this year has been pretty special for both of us. The sky is the limit.”
Venom Receiver Group Has Poison Coming From All Directions
NASHVILLE (July 3, 2014) – Pick your poison is a term used generally for a person to choose between two horrible options. For Professional Indoor Football League defenses that play against the Nashville Venom, there are numerous poisons for them to pick. Venom Head Coach Billy Back’s system is catered around what his receivers do best and what his QB is comfortable with. He has the ability to adjust it to fit the players he has. The Venom offense is leading the PIFL in all of the major categories.
As the 10-2 Venom prepare for the playoffs, four wide receivers have victimized opposing defenses in different forms. Jordan Jolly and Phillip Barnett have over 1,000 yards receiving on the season. The duo has contributed a combined 47 TDs on the season with Barnett leading the PIFL with 28.
Venom wide receivers Phillip Barnett and Jordan Jolly
Mack Ogletree is a do everything player for the Venom. He has a combined 13 TDs on for the season with four coming in the air. His 34 receptions for 358 yards rank him fourth on the team in both categories. Ogletree has been the main kick returner on the team and has contributed on defense.
Mack Ogletree
The elder statesman of the group is George Murray. The 31 year old in his fifth year has been steady all season. His 51 receptions for 554 yards and 13 TDs rank him third on the team in all three categories. His numbers could be higher but he was pressed into QB duties for two games this season. Murray is one of five different QBs that have played thus far for the Venom.
“We all complement each other well and we all challenge each other to have a break out game,” said Murray. “To be honest since day one we have all clicked. I played with Mack and Phil before. Jordan stepped right in and has been amazing. Even though we all want the ball every time, we all want to see the other do well. For example, I think I am happier for Jolly and Phil for both going pass 1,000 yards then they might be. But that’s the love I have for them and I want to see them go to bigger and better.”
Venom Head Coach Billy Back talking to his receivers
Murray started his arena career in 2005. From 2006-08, he was a teammate of Coach Back. Barnett, Ogletree and he have played under Coach Back since 2011. He has made it apparent to his teammates that this may be his last season so he is very determined to get a championship ring. Barnett, Jolly and Ogletree have been teammates for two prior years.
Barnett was showered by Venom fans after every catch in the victory over Trenton this past Saturday with chants of “MVP, MVP”. He has been consistent all season scoring TDs in all but two games. He has scored multiple TDs in 10 games scoring four on three different occasions. In Week 9, this week’s opponent the Columbus Lions held him to zero catches. Barnett did make the game saving play covering an onside kick with his team up by only seven points in the final seconds. In the Week 11 game at Columbus, Barnett scored in the final seconds to beat the Lions. The soft spoken Barnett is taking his accolades in stride.
#4 Jordan Jolly and #5 George Murray celebrates with Phillip Barnett after a TD.
“People ask us all the time how difficult it is to have five different QBs this season, to be honest it wasn’t hard at all,” said Barnett. “We have five great QBs and playing in this system makes it easy for all of us. George has been a great help for me. He knows all of the tricks of the trade. Jordan and I have a friendly rivalry going. He has been spectacular all season. Mack is a beast when he gets the ball. I heard the chants and it made me smile. The numbers don’t mean much to me. We are in this to win. Someone asked me after the game how I felt about not getting a catch. I didn’t realize it until it was brought up. Winning is fun for me. I wouldn’t want to game plan against us. I would put our offensive line up against anyone. Then the QBs have put up great numbers. You can’t take all of us out of the game.”
The five quarterbacks that have all talked about how easy it was for them to throw to the group. Alex Carder, who is now in the CFL, was the first and lauded the group for always being wide open. Murray filled in when Carder moved up. Lee Chappell threw two TDs in only one quarter before he was injured for the season. The most productive QB by far is current signal caller Charles McCullum. In only six games he has thrown for 30 TDs and 1621 yards. He has only thrown four interceptions in that span. McCullum missed the final game of the year due to personal reasons and veteran QB A.J. McKenna filled in nicely throwing six TDs with only a week of practice. Jolly and Ogletree are excited about the prospects of playing in the playoffs in Nashville.
Jordan Jolly scores one of his 19 TDs on the season.
“We are here to win it all,” said Jolly. It means a lot because we want to a championship to Nashville in our first year. We want this to be the first of many. We want to bring a winning attitude to the city. We might as well start it off right.”
“No one gave us a shot at the beginning of the year,” said Ogletree. “The whole team has played with a chip on our shoulders. Getting home field advantage for the playoffs is huge. You have the loud crowd screaming and rooting you on. You get a different feeling in your body and there is nothing like winning and celebrating a championship as a first year team at home in front of your home crowd.”
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