For the third consecutive season, Boston has a star-studded trio of defenders from left to right – Andrew Benintendi, Jackie Bradley Jr., and Mookie Betts. From HR robberies, lunging grabs in the gap, and perfectly-timed routes, to on-the-money throws, this group does it all.
In 2018, the “Killer B’s” came agonizingly close to sweeping the Outfield Gold Gloves. The question is can they pull it off this year?
2019 has the chance to be the year of the Killer B’s. To help explain to this point here’s a comparison. The Killer B’s are the MLB equivalent of the “Legion Of Boom.”
Mookie Betts is the Richard Sherman of the group because of his media presence and how near-perfect he is defensively.
Jackie Bradley is Earl Thomas. The way they both defend their positions with efficient timing and catching ability is unmatched.
Leaving Andrew Benintendi as the Kam Chancellor of this outfield trio. Andrew carries himself with a certain swag, and his ability to come through in the clutch is undeniable.
With Jackie Bradley finally acquiring his first gold glove and Benintendi being a finalist, what makes them most likely to do this?
Why Now Is The Time?
The fact that this hasn’t happened with this core is beyond baffling. Like most great things, however, it takes time. First, Bradley needed to break into the gold glove mold. Second, Benintendi put himself on the map with his superb defense while the world was watching in October, including Game 4 of the ALCS with a spectacular snag that robbed Alex Bregman of extra bases. Last, Betts has won the Gold Glove the last three years, which in turn makes him the only player in the AL to do it and likely to do it some more since he’s just now hitting his prime.
Most people consider Fenway Park’s outfield the toughest to cover in baseball, with quirky dimensions and endless ground to cover. Also, let’s not forget the Green Monster which can turn a double into a single or a single into a triple.
2019 has many storylines going into it. How can Bryce Harper lead the Phillies? Can the RedSox repeat their dominance? Who’ll win the NL East? “The Killer B’s” sweeping the Gold Gloves won’t be a true conversation until August or September. If you’re a fan of the game or just love historic moments in sports this is definitively something you should follow.