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This article was written by Dan Benton of Sports Media 101.
He was the poster boy for the fried chicken and beer shenanigans in the clubhouse that embarrassingly became public after last season’s Red Sox meltdown. He was crushed in Boston after he allegedly golfed on his off day during a week he was supposed to be banged up and subsequently got creamed by Cleveland. Since then, Josh Beckett has been an ace.
It is not a stretch to say that had Beckett not twisted his ankle last September in Toronto, both his and the Red Sox fortunes may have been much different (Hall of Famer Peter Gammons is on the record saying that he is adamant that Beckett was injured). He left after 3 and 2/3 innings against the Blue Jays that night and had an ERA of 2.49 after the game. Beckett did not pitch for 11 days after that. He ended with an of ERA of 2.89, which was the best of his ENTIRE career. It is also nearly a half run higher than before he hurt his ankle. Opponents hit just .211 off of Beckett last year, which is BY FAR the best mark of his career, beating .232 in 2002 (though in only 107 and 2/3 innings compared to 193 last year). If that does not completely prove how good he was last season, his WHIP (walks and hits per innings pitched) was the best of his career and BY FAR the best in any season in which he threw over 100 innings, at 1.02 last season.
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Be sure to check out other great articles at Sports Media 101.
He was the poster boy for the fried chicken and beer shenanigans in the clubhouse that embarrassingly became public after last season’s Red Sox meltdown. He was crushed in Boston after he allegedly golfed on his off day during a week he was supposed to be banged up and subsequently got creamed by Cleveland. Since then, Josh Beckett has been an ace.
It is not a stretch to say that had Beckett not twisted his ankle last September in Toronto, both his and the Red Sox fortunes may have been much different (Hall of Famer Peter Gammons is on the record saying that he is adamant that Beckett was injured). He left after 3 and 2/3 innings against the Blue Jays that night and had an ERA of 2.49 after the game. Beckett did not pitch for 11 days after that. He ended with an of ERA of 2.89, which was the best of his ENTIRE career. It is also nearly a half run higher than before he hurt his ankle. Opponents hit just .211 off of Beckett last year, which is BY FAR the best mark of his career, beating .232 in 2002 (though in only 107 and 2/3 innings compared to 193 last year). If that does not completely prove how good he was last season, his WHIP (walks and hits per innings pitched) was the best of his career and BY FAR the best in any season in which he threw over 100 innings, at 1.02 last season.
Read more…
Be sure to check out other great articles at Sports Media 101.
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