Josh Beckett News: Pro Sports Daily

Red Sox ace sidelined with undisclosed illness

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March 14

MLB.com

"Josh Beckett will not be making his scheduled start on Sunday against the Twins, his turn scratched because of illness.No details about the nature of his illness were available this morning. The Red Sox ace was slated to make his third start of the Grapefruit League season."

Beckett, the Sox and simple math

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March 12

Boston Globe

columnist Tony Massorotti

"Josh Beckett has made it quite clear that he will not negotiate with the Red Sox beyond Opening Day, which might have been considered a threat once, at a different time and under different circumstances. In this case, that is far more time than the Red Sox and Beckett should need to finalize one of the easiest contracts in history. The Red Sox open the season against the New York Yankees on Easter Sunday, which currently stands as a fitting deadline for the Red Sox and their 29-year-old right-hander. After all, this one really should be a bunny. In the last 15 months, four comparable right-handers all have signed contracts that could serve as some standard for the Beckett talks, and the ..."

'Substantive' talks on Beckett deal

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March 11

ESPN.com

"There have been "substantive discussions" between the Red Sox and pitcher Josh Beckett regarding a contract extension, with both sides aiming toward completing a deal before the start of the regular season, according to a source with direct knowledge of the negotiations. "There is time before the end of spring training to do a deal, and he's the kind of guy that doesn't let this get in the way of [his preparation for the season]," the source said. Beckett is in the last year of a three-year, $30 million deal. The benchmark in negotiations would seem to be the five-year, $82.5 million deal the Red Sox gave to free agent John Lackey when they signed him this winter."

Red Sox battery is operating

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March 9

Boston Globe

"Josh Beckett wanted to work on his changeup against the St. Louis Cardinals yesterday and threw a beauty to Colby Rasmus in the second inning, the ball deceptively plummeting to the ankles of the cleanup hitter as he swung over it. Red Sox catcher Victor Martinez came out of his crouch and pointed at Beckett before firing the ball to third base. It was one little moment in spring training, forgotten almost as quickly as it happened. But for Beckett and Martinez, there was significance to it."

Josh Beckett rounding into form

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March 9

Boston Herald

"When Josh Beckett pitches like he did yesterday - three perfect innings with three strikeouts and 25-of-35 pitches for strikes - the temptation to minimize the outing is as great as it is to make a big deal out of it. After all, it still is just Beckett's second start of spring training and the St. Louis Cardinals did not exactly bus their best lineup three hours across Florida to face the Red Sox. The challenge quotient would have been even higher if Albert Pujols, the most dangerous hitter alive, had not been a scratch with back discomfort. So the question of whether Beckett wished Pujols had been in there was a timely one. "I don't know - some days I'd like to face him and other days I ..."

A good start for Beckett

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March 8

Boston Globe

"An amicable start to contract talks between the Red Sox and Josh Beckett has created optimism that the sides might be able to reach an agreement before the righthander reaches free agency after this season. "Hopeful,'' said a source familiar with the talks, who confirmed meetings have been productive. The Sox signed John Lackey to a five-year, $82 million deal in the offseason, including an unusual provision in which Lackey would have to pitch a sixth year at the major league minimum salary if at any time during the contract he undergoes Tommy John surgery. The Sox also have protection against a shoulder injury in J.D. Drew's contract, but weren't able to secure a medical provision with ..."

Josh Beckett plays low ball

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March 5

Boston Herald

"Twenty-seven pitches to eight batters in two innings last night against the Minnesota Twins were enough to show Josh Beckett [stats] two things. His spring training focus on keeping his pitches down in the zone, including his blistering four-seam fastball, had an early payoff with five ground balls, not including a groundball hit. And, just as he suspected, having opposing batters keep the ball on the ground allows the Red Sox' improved defense to work its wonders. "You don't have to make the perfect pitch. You make a decent pitch, the guys behind you pick you up," said Beckett of the plus side of keeping the ball down. "It's just known: Defense is going to really help us. With not having ..."

Josh Beckett's pitch: Family first

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March 1

Boston Herald

"When Josh Beckett and the Red Sox clandestinely negotiated a three-year, $30 million extension in 2006, the pitcher had just one thought - take care of my family for life. Beckett wasn't worried about "setting the market." He wasn't concerned with breaking the bank. He certainly didn't view his deal as a bargain, even though he has outperformed it. At age 26, he recognized the ability to set himself up for life. Four years later, with his next contract destined to be a major topic of discussion until it is settled, he has no regrets. "That first contract, and I tell a lot of young guys this, there's going to be a lot of people that try to persuade you to do something that you don't feel is ..."

Josh Beckett's pitch: Family first

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February 28

Boston Herald

"When Josh Beckett and the Red Sox clandestinely negotiated a three-year, $30 million extension in 2006, the pitcher had just one thought - take care of my family for life. Beckett wasn't worried about "setting the market." He wasn't concerned with breaking the bank. He certainly didn't view his deal as a bargain, even though he has outperformed it. At age 26, he recognized the ability to set himself up for life. Four years later, with his next contract destined to be a major topic of discussion until it is settled, he has no regrets. "That first contract, and I tell a lot of young guys this, there's going to be a lot of people that try to persuade you to do something that you don't feel is ..."

Trying to read signs on Beckett

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February 22

Boston Globe

"Anybody feel good about the odds of Josh Beckett returning to the Red Sox after this season? Like a little boy getting a flu shot, Beckett did his bit with the Mass(achusetts) media yesterday. He came in from his workout and sat before nine television cameras and dozens of microphones, and took questions from curious minds. He made it pretty clear that he won't be crying about his contract all year. "That stuff is going to work itself out and I'm really not too concerned with it and I don't really have anything to say about contract stuff,'' he started. "I really don't have anything to say right now. I don't think I'll have anything to say at all during spring training. I don't want that ..."

Josh Beckett saying little about contract talks

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February 22

Boston Herald

"Red Sox ace Josh Beckett doesn't plan to talk about his contract this year. And he doesn't plan to be distracted by it, either. Addressing the media for the first time this spring yesterday, Beckett made it clear that he loves Boston, but was just as resolute in his desire not to feed the rumor mill that would love nothing better than to churn out stories on his impending free agency. "That stuff is going to work itself out," he said. "I'm really not too concerned with it. I don't really have anything to say about contract stuff today or probably any time during spring training. "I definitely don't want to let that be the focus of what I'm trying to do." Back in November, Beckett had said ..."

Beckett an ace at passing along advice

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February 20

Boston Globe

"There are some instructions that Casey Kelly doesn't mind following. Such as when Red Sox manager Terry Francona told him to follow around Josh Beckett and Jon Lester, learning about routines and workouts and professionalism from a pair of staff aces. It's similar to the instructions Francona once gave Lester, to follow around Beckett, to learn from a player noted for his preparation and performance. "He's been great,'' Kelly said of Beckett. "He said hi to me and everything like that. Not really used to talking to those guys, and them saying hi to you. When they do say hi to you, you just try to act like it's not a big deal. But inside you're like, 'Oh, my God.' I think I haven't smiled ..."

Lefty speaks: Sign Josh Beckett

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February 20

Boston Herald

"If Jon Lester were running the Red Sox , Josh Beckett would already have a contract extension. But since Lester merely pitches, the best he can do is offer an impassioned plea that the Red Sox sign Beckett, who will be a free agent after this season. "I think it would be a huge loss for this organization for him not to come back," the left-hander said yesterday at the Sox' minor league complex. Lester said Beckett means a lot to the team, "obviously on the field, but definitely in the clubhouse too," and has been one of his role models since arriving in the big leagues in 2006. "I still follow Josh around and try to do the same things he does in order to prepare, because obviously it ..."

Josh Beckett: Ace in a hole?

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February 17

Boston Herald

"What is Josh Beckett? As the erstwhile ace enters the final year of his contract, it is the question that must be answered before the Red Sox can decide how badly they want to extend themselves to retain the right-hander. Is Beckett the pitcher who dominated the 2007 postseason and finished second in the Cy Young Award voting, or the one who allowed 36 homers in 2006? Is he the All-Star of 2009, or the fizzler who ended that season with a 6.02 ERA in his final nine starts and was bypassed in Game 1 of the Division Series in favor of Jon Lester? And most importantly, is he the unquestioned ace of the staff who can match up against anybody else's No. 1, or is he the guy with a ..."

Schilling: Sox should extend Beckett

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February 9

Boston Globe

"Curt Schilling fired up his blog again and writes today that the Red Sox should sign Josh Beckett to a contract extension. His reasoning is that Beckett tries really hard. Just a guess, but the Red Sox might work in a few more factors before they make a decision. In case you missed it, Nick Cafardo wrote about Beckett on Sunday and the possible need for the Red Sox to protect themselves in case of injury."

Lengthy deal for Beckett requires medical attention

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February 7

Boston Globe

"A five-year, $82.5 million deal for Josh Beckett - the same thing former Marlins teammate A.J. Burnett and current teammate John Lackey got - seems logical for the free-agent-to-be. Right now, it's not going to happen in Boston. That's an opinion rather than pure fact, but one based on the way the Red Sox have operated the past few years. The Sox could invoke a Bill Parcells-like "I reserve the right to change my mind'' if Beckett was to have an outstanding season, but think more along the lines of Roy Halladay's three-year, $60 million extension, minus $6 million-$8 million. That's about as long a deal as the Sox would feel comfortable with."

Sox need to ante up for Beckett

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February 5

Boston Globe

"Red Sox pitchers and catchers report to Fort Myers, Fla., two weeks from today. It could be the last time that Josh Beckett shows up to spring training as a member of the Red Sox. Beckett is entering the final year of his contract, slated to make $12.1 million this season, and along with Mariners lefthander Cliff Lee would be the most sought after starting arm in the free agent class of 2011. For most of his career, Beckett, riding the reputation of postseason performances, has been known as a money pitcher. We're about to find out if the Sox and general manager Theo Epstein see him as one. They should. This is a deal that needs to get done before the season, so the occasionally irascible ..."

Josh Beckett dealings a toss-up for Sox

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February 1

Boston Herald

"The last time the Red Sox negotiated during the regular season with a free agent-to-be, it didn't end so well, which is why Jason Bay will play left field for the Mets this season. The Sox only can hope they encounter less turbulence in dealing with right-hander Josh Beckett, for whom ascertaining the market will be one of the more fascinating storylines this season. Beckett and Mariners left-hander Cliff Lee project to be the top two starters available in free agency next winter. Such a position has meant big money in recent years, as the Red Sox well know. John Lackey, after all, is the most similar pitcher to Beckett in baseball history, according to a means of statistical comparison ..."

Theo Epstein says Josh Beckett likes John Lackey deal

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December 17

Boston Herald

"Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein did not want Josh Beckett to get the wrong idea. He did not want a prized starter entering the final year of his contract to be influenced by any swirling theories about what the John Lackey five-year deal might mean for Beckett's own future with the Sox. So he texted Beckett some advice. "I just told him some might speculate that this means the end for you in Boston," said Epstein after the Lackey press conference at Fenway Park yesterday. "I said, 'Don't listen to them. You're a huge part of what we've had going on here and we'd love it if it worked out that you were a huge part of our future as well. The most important thing is we've got one heck of ..."

Two down, one to go?

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December 17

Providence Journal

"Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein sent Josh Beckett a text message once the organization was in the final stages of signing free-agent pitcher John Lackey to a five-year deal worth a reported $82.5 million. In the text, Epstein wrote to Beckett: "Some might speculate this means the end of you in Boston. . . Don't listen to them. You're a huge part of what we've got going on here and we'd love it if it works out that you're a huge part of our future as well. Most important thing is we have one heck of a pitching staff now." Beckett, who has one year remaining on his contract, quickly replied, saying he was very excited about Lackey's signing and he's ready to go for spring training. "I ..."

Tough market may leave Sox at status quo

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December 1

MLB.com

"As they dissect the current state of affairs on the Hot Stove market, the Red Sox are left with a lot of unknowns. This, thanks to a less-than-spectacular class of available free agents and the unpredictability that comes with trying to engage other teams in a blockbuster trade, which could bring the likes of Roy Halladay or Adrian Gonzalez to Boston. But, if you fast forward to next year at this time, general manager Theo Epstein and his crew of assistants will be in a far more enviable spot, one that could land them major stars who may have the impact that the Yankees felt from CC Sabathia, Mark Teixeira and A.J. Burnett en route to a 2009 World Series championship. This doesn't mean ..."

Old Josh Beckett still not back

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October 10

Boston Herald

columnist Sean McAdam

"It wasn't that long ago that Josh Beckett was regarded as the game's best Big Game Pitcher, the heir apparent to the crown jointly shared by John Smoltz and Curt Schilling for many of the last 15 years. He was a World Series MVP in 2003 and was positively unbeatable in the Red Sox run to their second title in 2007, and as he entered the prime of his career, seemed born for October, made for the big moment. Remember? But 2007 seems like a long time ago now, far longer than two short years ago. Beckett took the mound at Angel Stadium last night, trying to pitch the Red Sox back into their Division Series. But things got worse instead of better. For six innings, Beckett checked the Angels on ..."

Josh Beckett fuels big concerns

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October 9

Boston Herald

columnist Steve Buckley

"For sheer comedy, nothing beats the porridge being ladled out about how the Red Sox have two No. 1 starters for the postseason. We're talking Jon Lester and Josh Beckett, 1A and 1B, the Frick and Frack of the starting rotation. But while it sounds nice - Wow! Two No. 1 starters! - the reality is something different. Lester, by virtue of the fact he was on the mound for last night's Division Series opener against the Los Angeles Angels, is No. 1. And Beckett, who goes tonight, is No. 2. It's impossible to argue with the math. It's not like the Sox were in some last-day-of-the-regular-season, down-and-dirty, go-for-broke, must-win game to make the playoffs, necessitating a start by Beckett ..."

Lester, Beckett provide new 1-2 punch

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October 5

Boston Globe

"Throughout much of the season - with the exception of the seven-out start in which he got nailed by a line drive against the Yankees - Jon Lester has been the ace of the Red Sox staff. More than that, Lester has been one of the best pitchers in baseball, author of a brilliant stretch beginning at the end of May that solidified a standing made clear by a dominant 2008. That position was made official yesterday as the Red Sox announced their postseason rotation for the first three games of the American League Division Series against the Angels. Lester will start Game 1, ahead of Josh Beckett, in a move that has much to do with his ability to bounce back if needed, but also much to do with ..."

Cortisone shots help get Beckett back to work

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October 4

Boston Globe

"When Josh Beckett was scratched from his last start, slowed by back spasms, the memories of last season's end crept in. It was then that the pitcher, fashioned as one of the all-time best postseason pitchers, endured a rough end. Three poor postseason starts lasted a total of 14 1/3 innings and featured an 8.79 ERA. The injury crippled the Sox, turning a team that could have overturned the Rays into one left watching the World Series. And, now, Beckett appeared to be hurting again."

Amid this messy ending, there are things to tidy up

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October 1

Boston Globe

"The last five days of the 2009 season. Who cares? Josh Beckett cares, because he'll pitch Saturday to show his bosses that his sore back won't be a problem in the playoffs. Jon Lester cares, because in his start tonight, he needs to alleviate fears about the contusion he sustained on his quadriceps when Melky Cabrera's liner hit him last Friday night."

Good news on Red Sox's injury front

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September 30

MLB.com

"As they continue to get their house in order leading into the postseason, the Red Sox had a plethora of positive developments on the injury front before Tuesday's game against the Blue Jays. Ace Josh Beckett, a day after missing his start against the Jays because of mild muscle spasms in his upper back, declared himself good to go for his final tune-up start before the postseason on Saturday night against the Indians. "Absolutely, I think I'll make my next start," said Beckett. "I think if I had to, I don't think we're going to need this, but I could go sooner than Saturday. I think right now, we're just kind of looking at Saturday to hopefully set things up." And Beckett made it clear ..."

Beckett's outlook appears optimistic

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September 30

Boston Globe

"Even with the memory of last season's injury-marred playoffs, and after having woken up with back spasms before his scheduled start Monday, Josh Beckett yesterday said he anticipated no further issues with his back. He appeared optimistic about his chances to pitch during the rest of the regular season, and the postseason. "Absolutely, I think I'll make my next start,'' Beckett said. "I think if I had to I could probably - I don't think we're going to need this - but I could go sooner if I needed to than Saturday. I think right now we're just kind of looking at Saturday to hopefully set things up.''"

Josh Beckett's next shot

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September 30

Boston Herald

"Josh Beckett received three partial cortisone injections in his troublesome back Monday, but expects to make his next start Saturday. The procedure, which was first reported by WBZ, was considered to be a minor one. Beckett received small amounts of cortisone in trigger points around the muscle in his upper left back that had spasmed, forcing him to be scratched from his scheduled Monday start. The injections are the only cortisone shots the right-hander has received this season. The procedure is standard for the type of injury, according to a team source, and not considered a danger because the cortisone is injected into muscle, not cartilage. Beckett said before last night's 8-7 loss to ..."

Some good news on this pair of aces

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September 29

Boston Globe

"Although Josh Beckett was scratched last night because of back spasms and Jon Lester was struck in the quad by a line drive Friday night at Yankee Stadium, the Red Sox remain positive about the probability that both pitchers will be healthy once the postseason begins. Manager Terry Francona said yesterday that the upper left side of Beckett's back stiffened Sunday night as the team returned from New York and they thought it best to hold him out and start rookie Michael Bowden. "On the plane last night he tried to get comfortable and didn't,'' Francona said of Beckett during his pregame chat with reporters. "I think he thought he'd wake up, take a hot shower and go about his business. When ..."

Josh Beckett out with injury

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September 29

Boston Herald

"Josh Beckett was scratched from last night's scheduled start against the Toronto Blue Jays with mild spasms in his upper back that may sideline him through the weekend. Beckett had trouble getting comfortable during the flight home from New York on Sunday and awoke yesterday feeling no better. He called manager Terry Francona, who replaced him with Michael Bowden. "He's been feeling it," Francona said. "Again, this time of year, guys feel a lot. On the plane he tried to get comfortable and couldn't. He thought he could wake up, take a hot shower and go about his business. When that didn't happen he called me, and it wasn't a real difficult decision." Francona said the Red Sox probably will ..."

Red Sox bounce back

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September 24

Boston Herald

"After beginning this week-long series on the road with a pair of underwhelming starts and surprising losses, the Red Sox lifted their lonely eyes to Josh Beckett last night. Beckett, with Victor Martinez catching and David Ortiz dealing, met the gaze and stared down the Royals. The right-hander did allow a season-high 12 hits, but he held the Royals to two runs in the 9-2 Red Sox victory. Ortiz, who had an RBI in the Red Sox' six-run fifth, got three more when he jacked a home run in the ninth inning. He tied his season high with the four RBI by blasting his 25th homer of the season. The joint effort brought the Red Sox one game closer to a playoff berth, shrinking their magic number to ..."

In postseason preview, Victor Martinez catches Josh Beckett

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September 24

Boston Herald

columnist Sean McAdam

"For the first time since Aug. 18, the Red Sox lineup last night featured Victor Martinez catching Josh Beckett. Last time, it was born of necessity. Last night, it was done very much with a purpose. "Just trying to cover everything," manager Terry Francona said prior to his club's 9-2 win against the Kansas City Royals. "If we get to a certain point in the year, I just think we kind of owe it to us to be able to. I'd hate to get to some point in the season and go, I wish I would have thought of this. We've obviously thought about it a little bit. Just want to kind of cover all the bases." There's more to it than that, of course. This is not about late-season experiments or change for ..."

Beckett regaining form

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September 13

Boston Globe

"Josh Beckett, because of his startling ineffectiveness, had already waited nearly two weeks to reclaim the dominance typically attached to his late fall. Last night nature provided an extra, two-hour impediment. Before Beckett threw his first pitch, rain converted his routine into randomness. He sat around the clubhouse, where the Red Sox watched college football for most of the afternoon, and waited for the game to begin."

Beckett pours it back on

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September 13

Boston Globe

"The curse came in the form of a giant white tarp, the one that spent most of the day on the field, and the one that mercifully ended the game early as the rain poured down. That, of course, came after the Red Sox poured it on, making Tampa Bay, a team that had once been a favorite to make the postseason, look like a team ready for golf games in October."

Staff ace shows signs of old self

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September 13

Boston Herald

"Six days ago, Josh Beckett went out and gave up three runs in seven innings against the Chicago White Sox. He took the loss, but this didn't stop a lot of upbeat Red Sox folk from looking past the 'L' and focus instead on the joyous news that, hey, at least Beckett wasn't shelled. Remember his four starts before the Chicago outing? Beckett was bad, as in 0-2 with an 8.88 ERA bad. He gave up 12 home runs in 24 innings. To put that in perspective, consider that in 2007, when he went 20-7 and was a Cy Young Award contendah, Beckett gave up only 17 home runs the entire season. So, yeah, when he lost to the White Sox six days ago and didn't surrender a single home run in doing so, it was party ..."

Beckett, Red Sox make short work of Rays

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September 13

Boston Herald

"It took the Rays and Red Sox more than two hours just to start last night's rain-delayed game. And then the Red Sox acted like they didn't want it to end. With the offense exploding against an increasingly hapless Rays pitching staff, the Red Sox rode an eight-run third and Josh Beckett's first strong start in a month to a 9-1 demolition shortened to five innings by the rain. The victory extended the Sox' wild card lead to three games over the Rangers, who lost to Seattle last night. The Sox-Rays game included three hours of delays - two hours and five minutes to start when barely a drop fell from the sky, and then 55 minutes at 11 p.m. when the floodgates opened. "It wasn't ideal," said ..."

Josh Beckett's bad 3rd costs Red Sox

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September 8

Boston Herald

"Josh Beckett is not big on silver linings. And make excuses for him at your own peril, because he hates those, too. But even Beckett had to be encouraged by the way he threw yesterday after a series of poor starts. The White Sox seized upon one bad inning to touch him for three runs en route to a 5-1 victory, but otherwise the erstwhile ace looked more like his old self than he has in quite some time. "It's tough to look at that way," Beckett said. "We need to win ballgames right now. That's what everybody in this room gets paid to do. We didn't win today." In truth, the loss had less to do with Beckett and more to do with the offense's inability to capitalize against White Sox ace Mark ..."

Red Sox in good mood

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September 4

Boston Herald

columnist John Tomase

"Don't look now, but the Red Sox [team stats] are suddenly one of the best teams in baseball again. The offense is humming. By and large, the starting pitching has been pretty good, and projects to get even better when Josh Beckett [stats] rights the ship. The bullpen boasts half a dozen guys with closer stuff. Last night all of the above was on display in a 6-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field that virtually knocked the hosts out of the wild card race while reinforcing the notion that the Sox are picking a good time to start playing their best baseball of the year. "I like our spot right now," said left fielder Jason Bay, who drove in a pair of runs. "There's still a ..."

Josh Beckett better after early struggle

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September 3

Boston Herald

"By now, it should be obvious: The Josh Beckett Reclamation Project will not be completed overnight. It's been four starts now since Beckett has been Beckett. From May 1 through the middle of August, he was as good as any starter in the league, so good that in nearly half of his starts (8-of-18) in that span, he didn't allow so much as an earned run. After that? It's as if someone snatched his stuff and replaced it with just another guy, a guy with an 8.88 ERA. The low point came on Aug. 23 when he got hammered for five home runs by the Yankees. Come to think of it, the next start - which included five walks, four with two outs - wasn't much better. Last night offered a small step forward, ..."

John Farrell: Josh Beckett's woes mechanical

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August 25

Boston Herald

"Having spent the last month trying to patch and fill the back end of their starting rotation, the last thing the Red Sox needed was a problem with their ace. Josh Beckett was thumped for eight runs Sunday night, allowing a career-worst five homers to the New York Yankees. In his last two starts, Beckett has been bashed for 15 runs in 13 1/3 innings while yielding a staggering eight homers. During a season in which the Sox already have overcome injuries and underperformance, a downturn by Beckett is something they can't survive. Losing Daisuke Matsuzaka or Tim Wakefield is one thing; not having Beckett at his best is entirely something else. Surely, a healthy Beckett last October would have ..."

Yankees club Josh Beckett, take series

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August 24

Boston Herald

"The Pitching Matchup of the Century lasted as long as it took Josh Beckett to throw one pitch. And then it became just another easy Yankees victory. With Beckett producing his second straight poor start and Yankees counterpart CC Sabathia doing enough to keep the Red Sox at bay, the Yankees took the rubber match of their three-game series with an 8-4 victory that dropped the Red Sox 7 ½ games out of first in the AL East. Beckett allowed runs in each of the first five innings. His undoing was the long ball. He allowed a career-worst five home runs - to Derek Jeter leading off the game, and then Hideki Matsui, Robinson Cano, Alex Rodriguez and Matsui again. Those blasts undid what was ..."

Josh Beckett falls short of big-game rep

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August 24

Boston Herald

"After Josh Beckett was lit up to the tune of seven runs in 5 1/3 innings against the Toronto Blue Jays last Tuesday at Rogers Centre, he refused to sign off on the glittering array of excuses that were placed at his feet. Remember? His pregame routine had been spoiled, with Jason Varitek being pulled from the lineup because of neck spasms. He was working with newcomer Victor Martinez for the first time. The Red Sox were without pitching coach John Farrell, who had returned home to Cleveland on family business. The Stat Police were brought into the discussion, pointing out that Beckett was 14-2 with a 2.52 ERA with 'Tek behind the dish, as opposed to an 0-2 record and 11.25 ERA with either ..."

Once strong pitching rotation is now spoiling Boston's playoff chances

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August 24

New York Daily News

"The Red Sox are dealing with a serious issue at a very bad time. Their rotation has become unreliable as they head into a stretch where they play 11 of 14 games against teams in contention for a playoff spot. Boston's schedule after Sept. 7 is relatively soft, with only one road series against a team with a winning record - the Yankees on Sept. 25-27. Before things get easier, however, there are four home games with the White Sox, four road games with the Chisox and three road games with Tampa, which is 8-4 against Boston this season. How the Red Sox play the next two weeks may determine if they make the postseason. "There's still time left," Jason Bay said Sunday night of closing the ..."

Yankees Celebrate Bad Day for Beckett

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August 24

New York Times

"The Yankees have seen Josh Beckett at his best, and now they have seen him at his worst. In their final game at Fenway Park this season - until a possible playoff date, anyway - the Yankees stung their nemesis for five home runs Sunday night. The result was an 8-4 victory over the Boston Red Sox for C. C. Sabathia, who leads the majors with 15 wins. Beckett had fired 16 scoreless innings against the Yankees before Sunday, and he shut them out for Florida in the Yankees' last World Series appearance, in 2003. But he had never before allowed five home runs. "Beckett is a great pitcher, but this lineup is unbelievable," said Sabathia, who threw 80 of his 118 pitches for strikes. "I've had ..."

CC Sabathia and Red Sox's Josh Beckett are set for duel in finale

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August 23

New York Daily News

"CC Sabathia would like nothing better than to take away one of the potential choices Joe Girardi will face tonight when the former Cy Young winner starts the finale of the Yankees' three-game series at Fenway. "I'm trying to get deeper in the game with a lower pitch count so Joe doesn't have to make a tough decision come the seventh or eighth inning," Sabathia said. If any Yankee can do that, it's the lefty ace. Not only has he pitched into the seventh inning or beyond 21 times in his 26 starts this season, he's also on one of his typical August hot streaks, so he's pitching well enough to go deep. Entering his start tonight against Red Sox ace Josh Beckett, Sabathia has won 10 ..."

Sox hope Beckett continues to be armed force

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August 19

Boston Globe

"Back in spring training, before Josh Beckett had proven anything in regards to his 2009 season, they could see it. The way he had trained, the lack of injury, the way the ball made that reassuring popping noise when hitting the catcher's mitt. So manager Terry Francona and pitching coach John Farrell said it: the Beckett who arrived amid the palm trees and lackluster competition of the Grapefruit League was the same one who, back in 2007, dominated the American League."

Sox hope Beckett continues to be armed force

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August 18

Boston Globe

"Back in spring training, before Josh Beckett had proven anything in regards to his 2009 season, they could see it. The way he had trained, the lack of injury, the way the ball made that reassuring popping noise when hitting the catcher's mitt. So manager Terry Francona and pitching coach John Farrell said it: the Beckett who arrived amid the palm trees and lackluster competition of the Grapefruit League was the same one who, back in 2007, dominated the American League."

On the growl

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August 13

Boston Globe

"For months now, the agony has outweighed that long-ago memory of the ecstasy. It has been strikeouts, and fly balls, and ground outs. Hits have been few. Home runs and RBIs have been fewer. And just when Jason Bay began to feel right, the bat making contact in just the right manner with just the right sound and just the right result, Bay found himself cramping up and out of the lineup for three of the most important games of the season. He crept back to Fenway Park, no longer wounded in body, though his spirits still lagged. Something had switched on against Tampa Bay, on that home run that came a week ago, and that switch has remained on since. Through his injury timeout, Bay maintained ..."

Burnett, Beckett Throw Matching Masterpieces

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August 8

New York Post

"Thursday night was soft- pitch softball. Last night was the playoffs. A.J. Burnett and Josh Beckett brought a touch of late October to early August. If this were, say, Game 1 of the ALCS, this would even now be an Instant Classic. Instead, we will have to settle for a darn entertaining -- and long -- night in the history of The Rivalry. The former Marlins teammates exchanged frames throwing zeroes and playing hero. After the unbecoming events of the previous evening, Burnett and Beckett served as overpowering erasers to the lingering bad memories. Neither earned a decision in the game while authoring decisive works of art. But both starters stayed in the dugouts to watch another Red ..."