Mookie Betts had formed friendship with Isaiah Thomas last winter

CLEVELAND – The Red Sox were waiting out a rain-delayed start to their game with the Cleveland Indians Tuesday night, passing the time by watching TV and playing video games.

That’s when the news of the Celtics-Cavaliers blockbuster became official.  For one Red Sox player, Mookie Betts, the news hit home in a personal way.

He had attended some Celtics game last winter and came to know Isaiah Thomas, dealt in a mega-deal to Cleveland in exchange for Kyrie Irving.

“I saw it go across the screen,’’ recounted Betts after the Red Sox’ 9-1 win over the Indians.  “It was kind of shocking. I didn’t think it was going to happen.  We obviously grew through the off-season, me going to the games and whatnot. He’s got to do his thing, and I’ll be part of the supporting cast.’’

Betts came to appreciate Thomas a player who got the most out of his talent and wasn’t intimidated despite his diminutive size in a league full of giants.

“Everyone talks about his heart,’’ said Betts.  “That’s the main thing that you see, when you see the things he went through this year as far as the family (losing his sister during the playoffs)…he lost a tooth, those kind of things. He lays it on the line. Every day, he wants to be the best player in the gym and he shows it. That’s kind of something we’ll miss.’’

Betts didn’t reach out to Thomas Tuesday night, figuring the former Celtics guard already was dealing with enough.

“I’m not really sure how the process goes because I’ve never been traded,’’ Betts said.

The possibility of being traded was never broached between the two.

“We just had casual conversations,’’ he said, “nothing like (talk of a trade). I looked forward to going to his games and seeing him. I’m sure I’ll make it to a couple of his game to support him (next season).’’