Josh Beckett
Encyclopedia : J : JO : JOS : Josh Beckett
| Position | Starting Pitcher |
| Team | Boston Red Sox |
| Years of Experience | 4 years |
| Age | 26 |
| Height | 6 ft 5 in |
| Weight | 222 lb. |
| Bats | Right |
| Throws | Right |
| College | None |
| 2006 Salary | ,325,000 |
| Place of Birth | Spring, Texas |
| Selection | Drafted #2 overall 1st round, 1999. |
| Drafted by | Florida Marlins |
| Major League Debut | August 30, 2001 |
| Nickname | None |
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Joshua Patrick (Josh) Beckett (born May 15, 1980) is a right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who plays for the Boston Red Sox. From 2001 through 2005, Beckett played for the Florida Marlins. He was traded to the Red Sox before the 2006 season.
Biography
In a five-season career, Beckett has posted a 41-34 record with 607 strikeouts and a 3.46 ERA in 609.0 innings pitched.A native of Spring, Texas, Beckett has grown to become one of the premier young pitchers in the major leagues. He is a hard-thrower, wielding a 97-mph fastball, a consistently 90 mph changeup, and a 12-to-6 curveball, which is particularly evil and ranges in the mid-to-high 70 mph range. His career thus far has been impressive, but injuries (most of the time blister problems) have limited him to only 99 starts (101 appearances) over the past four years. His most productive season came in 2005, when he posted career-highs in wins (15), starts (29), innings (178.2), strikeouts (166) and WHIP (1.18), as he tossed in a sharp 3.38 ERA for good measure. He also hadn't won more than 10 games until the past campaign.
Beckett achieved fame in the 2003 postseason by winning the World Series MVP Award with two great performances on only three days' rest. Teamed up with star catcher Iván Rodríguez, he helped the Marlins win the World Series over the favored Yankees, 4 games to 2.
In a deal that was made official on Thanksgiving Day, 2005, Beckett was traded to the Red Sox along with third baseman Mike Lowell and relief pitcher Guillermo Mota for minor league prospects shortstop Hanley Ramírez and pitchers Aníbal Sánchez, Jesús Delgado and Harvey García. This concluded a 72-hour medical clearance period.
Josh Beckett became the first Red Sox pitcher to hit a homerun in nearly 35 years when he took Phillies' pitcher Brett Myers deep during an interleague game on May 20th, 2006
Facts
- Beckett, along with fellow stars Carlos Delgado, Luis Castillo, Paul Lo Duca, Guillermo Mota and Mike Lowell, are the most prominent among a list of veterans the Marlins traded in what was organizationally termed a market correction. The Marlins drastically trimmed their payroll, possibly in preparation for a future relocation of the franchise out of Florida. Although no destination city has been named, front-runners include Portland, Oregon, Las Vegas, and San Antonio, Texas. [link]
- Beckett was caught saying the word "shit" under his breath in a post game news conference during the 2003 World Series.
- Beckett has been plagued by blisters on his pitching hand throughout his career.
- Beckett is often known for his hot temper and intensity during games and is extremely competitive. He has had many run-ins with umpires, for various reasons.
- Beckett's first start of his career was in Houston on September 4, 2001. There was a crowd of at least 500 fans seated near the baselines, calling themselves "The Beckett Bunch."
External links
- [Baseball-Reference.com] - career statistics and analysis
- [Josh Beckett] at ESPN.com
- [Red Sox finalize an extended deal]
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