The Boston Red Sox are turning out to be better than some of us thought as they nearly no-hit the Tampa Bay Rays yesterday. We also have the great honor of being able to watch baseball being played on Jackie Robinson day, although there's no baseball being played in New York which is kind of weird.
Previously on Beyond the Box Score
Derek Holland's Changeup - By Jon Roegele - Beyond the Box Score
The mighty Dutch Oven, or Derek Holland as some people know him, is one of my favorite baseball players to talk to on Twitter or read about. Jon takes us through Derek's changeup and whether it's become a weapon for him once again.
Hawk Harrelson vs. Brian Kenny and the Ongoing Baseball Debate - By Ben Horrow - Beyond the Box Score
Generally when the name Hawk Harrelson is mentioned my brain immediately sends a signal to my eyes to roll and I click away from whatever it is his name is mentioned in. Ben did a really good job of making his point about and gave us a great analogy in the process. I enjoyed reading it.
Greinke vs. Quentin: The Cost of a Brawl - By Ken Woolums - Beyond the Box Score
I like this approach by Ken when he talks about what this brawl between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres really means for both sides. The brawl in and of itself was quite ridiculous considering that Carlos Quentin stands right up there over the plate daring pitchers to come inside on him (and likely hit him), at least in my humble opinion.
BTB Podcast #50 - Get Buck in Here - With Blake Murphy and Bryan Groscnick - Beyond the Box Score
The guys give some good analysis on the sudden dominance of the one and only John Buck, talk about the struggles of the Toronto Blue Jays -- which will probably only become more pronounced with the Jose Reyes injury (sorry Blake), and gave some previews of this past weekend's match-ups -- which we should listen to the show (again for some of us) to see just how close they were with their thoughts.
Around the Sabersphere
Movie Review: "42" - By Shane Tourtellotte - The Hardball Times
There are some really good points made in this review about the movie and those of us that have already seen the movie would enjoy this review. For those that haven't watched it as of yet I almost want you to hold off. We have to remember that this is Hollywood after all and can't take the words "Based on a true story" too seriously these days. He does give the movie high marks though and he's spot on with that, as well as his other thoughts.
Hey Bill | Bill James Online
I'm routinely fascinated by some of the thoughts and analysis of Bill James and his "Hey Bill" column where he answers readers' questions generally has some fantastic thoughts from him.
Around SB Nation
Jose Reyes injury: Shorstop expected to miss three months with ankle injury - By Connor Moylan - MLB Daily Dish
There were two injuries to two significant players over the weekend that will keep them out for a lengthy period of time and Jose Reyes is one of them -- the other being Zack Greinke of course. It didn't take long for Jose Reyes to go down with one of those serious injuries and who knows how well he'll recover from this severe ankle sprain. Speed is a part of his game and if this injury begins to sap that, even once he recovers, you have to wonder just how valuable he'll really be.
Giants take advantage of sloppy Cubs play, win final game of series - By Grant Brisbee - McCovey Chronicles
The Chicago Cubs made history on Sunday and it wasn't for doing something right. Grant provides us with a nifty little graphic that highlights the things the Cubbies did which allowed them to make said history. At least it's something baseball history buffs will always remember them for.
The 10 coolest Jackie Robinson items on eBay - By Jim Baker - Baseball Nation
Jim puts together his list of the 10 coolest Jackie Robinson items on eBay and he comes away with having the coolest article on SB Nation of the weekend. I actually got the chance to see "42" on Friday and it was done very well. If you haven't seen it already then I certainly recommend you to do so.
Red Sox 5, Rays 0: Clay Buchholz flirts with history, delivers series win - By Ben Buchanan - Over the Monster
So I admit, I didn't think the Red Sox would be very good this year and so far they've done a pretty good job of showing me I had no idea what I was talking about. Clay Buchholz nearly no-hit the Tampa Bay Rays (why does this seem to always happen, or almost happen to them?) and Ben gives a great rundown of how it nearly happened.
Outside the Sabersphere
Jackie Robinson - The Official Site
In honor of it being Jackie Robinson Day all across Major League Baseball we should also take the time to visit the official Jackie Robinson website and learn a little bit more about the man, and not just the player.
BASEBALL EDITION | Dude Perfect - YouTube
So my Beyond the Box Score cohort Mr. Ryan Potter thinks that he can outdo me in YouTube clips. Challenge accepted Mr. Potter! Check out Dude Perfect and his amazing trick shots in this baseball edition he did.