Mookie Betts’ Dad, Vietnam Veteran, Honored In Red Sox’s ‘Hats Off To Heroes’

A regular occurrence at Fenway Park took on an extra special meaning for Mookie Betts on Monday.

During every Boston Red Sox home game, the team honors a current or former military member in a tradition called “Hats Off To Heroes.” During Monday’s game against the Chicago White Sox, the man being honored was none other than Betts’ father, Willie.

Willie Betts served in Vietnam as a member of the U.S. Air Force, and when he stood atop the Red Sox’s dugout, the Fenway Faithful gave him a huge ovation. Willie also gave a point and a nod to his son, who responded with a huge grin before taking the field.

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The Red Sox weren’t able to come away with the win, falling 2-1 in extra innings, but we’d imagine watching his son play at Fenway Park and getting a standing ovation from the home crowd was a pretty nice belated Father’s Day gift for Willie.