CLEVELAND — Mookie Betts heard the news as the Red Sox were getting ready to play the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday night and couldn’t believe it.
The Celtics had traded his pal Isaiah Thomas as part of a package to obtain Cavaliers star Kyrie Irving.
“It was kind of shocking. It didn’t think it was going to happen,” Betts said.
Betts made his debut with the Sox in 2014. Thomas was acquired by the Celtics six months later and the two became friends. Betts attended several Celtics games during the winter and spring, sitting courtside.
Like Betts, Thomas was an undersized player who became an All-Star after modest beginnings. Betts was a fifth-round draft pick in 2011. Thomas was the final pick of the second round in 2011.
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“We’d text and check in on each other. He’s a good guy,” Betts said. “Love his game.”
As for the trade, Betts wasn’t sure what to make of it. But he’s still a Celtics fan and eager to see what Irving does.
“We’ll see how it plays out,” he said.
Peter Abraham can be reached at peter.abraham@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @peteabe.