Some losses in sports linger far beyond the final out. For the Boston Red Sox, the departure of Mookie Betts isn’t just a trade—they let a generational talent slip away, and the baseball gods haven’t let them forget it. Every time Betts shines in Dodger blue, the sting deepens. Every time the Red Sox struggle to regain their dominance, the what-ifs grow louder.

The Dodgers’ celebratory trip to Tokyo turned ominous early on when Mookie Betts became sick. His troubles started before the team even left Arizona, as reports of flu-like symptoms began to emerge while they were still in that state. His condition only escalated during his lengthy flight to Japan, in which he lost 15 pounds. Betts’ decline prevented him from playing in exhibition games on March 15 and 16. To prioritize long-term wellness, manager Dave Roberts officially ruled him out of a two-game series against the Cubs on March 17th. This absence set the stage for the controversy to follow.

As Betts recovered, a social media firestorm erupted. Red Sox insider Tyler Milliken, didn’t mince words on X: “If you’re affiliated with the Red Sox in any way, the plague will reach you. There’s no hiding from it.” The tweet, impossible to ignore and dripping with ominous undertones, instantly reignited the simmering controversy surrounding Betts’ 2020 trade from Boston.

The “why” behind Milliken’s fiery words is complex, rooted in a trade that still feels raw for many Red Sox faithful. Betts, a homegrown MVP, was shipped to Los Angeles in a deal primarily driven by financial considerations. While Betts himself has stated it was “just business,” and expressed fondness for Boston, the perception remains that the Red Sox undervalued a generational talent. As Fox Sports Personality, Collen Cowherd Called the Betts trade the worst since Babe Ruth.

The Curse of the Bambino 2.0?: Betts thrives, Red Sox stumble

Mookie Betts wasn’t just good in Boston. He was legendary. A 2018 MVP and four-time Gold Glover, three-time Silver Slugger, and four-time All-Star, he was the engine that drove the Red Sox to a World Series championship. His leaving not only created an enormous gap in the lineup but also left an enormous gap in the hearts of supporters who saw him as the franchise’s future. The numbers don’t lie; Betts’ impact was undeniable.

The Red Sox have been inconsistent since trading Betts. A last-place finish in 2020, a shocking ALCS appearance in 2021, followed by back-to-back missing the playoffs seasons. And although players acquired in the deal, such as Alex Verdugo, have contributed, they have not come close to Betts’ superstar production. The struggles of the team and missed opportunities to acquire top-tier free agents have fueled a narrative of decline.

If there is a baseball god of karma, Mookie Betts appears to be one of his favorites. When he came back to Fenway Park in August 2023, he didn’t just play; he dominated. He finished 7-for-15 over the three games, for a batting average of. 467 with a home run, two doubles, and four RBIs. He was even given a standing ovation from the Fenway faithful, a bittersweet moment that emphasized what Boston had lost. The performance was a deep statement.

The timing of Milliken’s tweet is crucial. It followed the Red Sox’s inability, again, to land top free agents like Juan Soto, Max Fried, and Shane Bieber, further frustrating fans. Whether you believe in curses, karma, or just bad luck, the Mookie Betts saga looms larger than ever over the Boston Red Sox. Milliken’s tweet, however ill-advised, expressed a sentiment that many fans have: a feeling that the team made a colossal mistake.

So, the ultimate question remains: Is the “plague” real, or is it simply the bitter taste of regret that the Red Sox is facing?