Between their mission for Secret celebrity renovation, Boston Rob Mariano And Mookie Betts decide to make a friendly bet on the baseball field.
“Have you ever played baseball?” asks Betts, 31, Mariano, 48, in We weekly‘s exclusive first look at the Friday, September 20 episode Secret celebrity renovation with the Los Angeles Dodgers player.
Mariano, the general contractor on the home improvement series, admits he used to play Little League but was more into hockey growing up. He is, however, an avid Boston Red Sox fan. (Betts famously played with the Red Sox for six seasons before signing with the Dodgers in 2020.)
“We need to see you hit some balls,” Betts teases. “You need to get out there. And in hockey, you know how to swing!”
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In classic Mariano style, he doesn’t miss a challenge – and the field is prepared for batting practice.
“It’s been 20 years since I swung a bat, but the MVP (of the American League) wants me to take batting practice,” Mariano tells the camera. “What could go wrong?”
Then Betts brings out his baseball trainer to operate the pitching machine. When the first pitch goes to Mariano, he swings the bat and hits the ball. Betts cheers him on from the mound as Mariano continues to hit the ball.
“This is for all the Boston fans,” Mariano shouts after sinking a long fly ball, to which Betts replies, “Let’s go!”
As Mariano finds his rhythm with the ball, Betts decides to up the ante. The Gold Glove winner asks the coach to increase the difficulty of the throw to the major league level. Betts jokes that Mariano has “no chance” and decides to make things interesting.
“And then he proposes a bet,” Mariano says. “If I can’t hit a pitch at that speed, I’ll have to return to Boston wearing a Dodgers jersey.”
Mariano has been wearing his iconic Red Sox cap since his first appearance at Survivors in 2002. The cap has become a staple in his wardrobe, as he has worn it in every reality show he has appeared in, including Survivors, The amazing race, Deal or No Deal Island and even now Secret celebrity renovation.
Although Betts is convinced that Mariano can’t hit the baseball, the Survivor winner does his best.
“I was close a few times,” Mariano tells the camera. “But when you’re up there at the plate, the shots come much faster than you think.”
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After sustaining an injury to his hand, Mariano finally admits defeat.
“OK, I lost the bet. So I have to take a Dodgers hat with me to Boston,” he admits. “But Mookie knows there’s no way I’m wearing that thing.”
Betts teams up with Mariano on Secret Celebrity Renovation to help his father Willie complete a much-needed home renovation.
Secret celebrity renovation airs Friday, September 20th at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.
