In the first pivotal play of the 2018 World Series, Mookie Betts succeeded where only a few players have in 2018: Stealing a base off of Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw.

Having reached on a single to shallow center, Betts took off on Kershaw’s first pitch to Andrew Benintendi. The throw from Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes was offline, and Betts slid safely into second base.

Because he stole the first base of the World Series, Betts won America a free taco from Taco Bell (available on Nov. 1). Benintendi’s single to right field gave Betts more than enough opportunity to score the game’s first run.


In the postgame, Betts was asked about the stolen base by Fox Sports analyst Alex Rodriguez.

“What’s interesting is Kershaw’s only allowed three stolen bases [in 2018],” Rodriguez noted.

“It was just one of those things [where] we said to be aggressive early, try to get a run across,” Betts explained. He then referenced his taco-winning achievement.

“On top of that, I just wanted some tacos.”

In Betts’s opinion, the Red Sox game plan was made simple by the efficiency of Kershaw.

“Obviously he throws strikes,” said Betts, noting that Boston’s aim was “just to be aggressive. He’s not going to walk anybody. It was just one of those things where you put pressure on him, put pressure on him, and eventually something has to happen, and it did.”

Asked by Fox Sports’ Frank Thomas about the possibility of playing second base when the series moves to Los Angeles (and the National League rules mandate no designated hitter in the lineup), Betts said he was up to the challenge if asked.

“I’m not sure. I’m just going to go where they tell me to go. Right now, I’m in the outfield, so I’m going to stay out there. If they tell me to go [to second base], I’m sure I’ll be a little nervous, but I think I’ll be all right.”


Here’s the full interview with Betts on the Fox Sports postgame show: