"I think like Coach Raleigh, he recruited me to Tennessee" - Mookie Betts recalls how Cal Raleigh's dad selected him for the Volunteers

Mookie Betts recently sat down with Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh on a podcast, where both shared different anecdotes from their careers. One of those incidents involved Betts beginning his collegiate career because of Cal's dad, coach Todd Raleigh.

Before joining the major league with the Boston Red Sox, Betts discussed that he was recruited by coach Raleigh for the Tennessee Volunteers. During his junior high school year, Betts hit .548 with 24 steals, catching the attention of scouts from numerous colleges.

He also attracted the Vols coach's attention and secured a scholarship to play for the team. Recalling that time on a Bleacher Report podcast on Monday, Betts expressed his feelings to Cal Raleigh and said:

"We were in Seattle, Cal Raleigh. I'm like, OK, cool, whatever. So then I'm like, man, I've seen that name before. I don't know where I've seen it. And then I think like coach Raleigh, he recruited me to Tennessee.

"You know what? I don't know if this is his kid or not because I didn't, I didn't know. And I think I asked you during the game."

Mookie Betts also said he found it astonishing that he was playing against the son of Todd Raleigh, who gave a boost to his career. Todd coached the Volunteers from 2008 to 2011.

Mookie Betts and Cal Raleigh sign up for the inter-sport race

During Monday's episode of "On Base," Mookie Betts and Cal Raleigh talked about their participation in this year's inter-sport race. This is where NFL star Tyreek Hill and Olympic gold medalist Noah Lyles will also be participating against many other players from different sports.

So, Betts and Raleigh started discussing the player in the major league who could be considered the fastest runner. Both of them honored Cincinnati Reds Elly De La Cruz with such an accolade. They talked about how he needs to be the MLB ambassador in a race across various sports, because of his ability to steal bases.

"I would like to see Elly running the race," Betts said. "So Elly, we're signing you up for a 100m race, so go ahead and practice. Well, you've already got 70 bags (stolen bases) this year so just keep on doing what you're doing. You've got a race against Tyreek Hill and Noah Lyles, make sure you put on for the MLB."

Ever since Mookie Betts returned from his injury on June 16, the LA Dodgers haven't lost a single series, be it against the Milwaukee Brewers, St. Louis Cardinals or Seattle Mariners.