Josh Beckett

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

**Josh Beckett**

Boston Red Sox — No. 19
Starting Pitcher
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
Major League Baseball debut
August 30, 2001 for the Florida Marlins
Selected MLB statistics (through 2006)
Record	57-45
Strikeouts	765
ERA	3.85
Former teams
Florida Marlins (2001-2005)

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.

1 Biography
2 Career statistics
3 Facts
4 External links

[edit] Biography

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 80 mph changeup, and a 12-to-6 curveball, which he throws 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.

Josh Beckett became the first Red Sox pitcher to hit a home run in 35 years–since the advent of the designated hitter rule–when he took Phillies' pitcher Brett Myers deep during an interleague game on May 20, 2006

On July 18, 2006, Beckett signed a three-year, $30 million contract extension with a $10 million club option for 2010. [1]

Beckett completed his first season with the Boston Red Sox with a record of 16-11 and a 5.01 ERA. In 204.2 IP, he gave up 191 hits and struck out 158 batters while walking 74. He allowed 36 homeruns, tied for second most in the majors.

[edit] Career statistics

Year	Team	G/GS	W-L	ERA	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
2001	FLA	4/4	2-2	1.50	24.0	14	9	4	11	24
2002	FLA	23/21	6-7	4.10	107.7	93	56	49	44	113
2003	FLA	24/23	9-8	3.04	142.0	132	54	48	56	152
2004	FLA	26/26	9-9	3.79	156.7	137	72	66	54	152
2005	FLA	29/29	15-8	3.38	178.7	153	75	67	58	166
2006	BOS	33/33	16-11	5.01	204.7	191	120	114	74	158

[edit] Facts

Beckett, along with fellow stars Carlos Delgado, Luis Castillo, Paul Lo Duca, Guillermo Mota, Alex Gonzalez 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. [2]

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 players and umpires for various reasons.

Beckett's first start of his career was in Houston, Texas on September 4th, 2001. There was a crowd of at least 500 fans seated near the baselines, cheering for Josh, called "The Beckett Bunch."