A strange hello to Boston Red Sox media and fans from former starting pitcher Josh Beckett. The other day, Beckett took a few slaps at Red Sox reporters and some fans. It was not the best PR move (in fact it was downright stupid and paranoid) but at least he was being honest. Is honesty the best policy when it comes to publically sharing your feelings? You decide. I already have.
Beckett, who was recently traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a major deal that included Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford and Nick Punto, first thanked the general population of Red Sox sports fans for their support. But then he went after those who he claimed wanted him to fail and those who were unhappy with what he did for the Red Sox.
Beckett was quoted in Rob Bradford’s (WEEI.com) column as he issued a warning by observing, “It’s just a matter of time before they get you, basically. And that’s unfortunate. I think [Jon] Lester knows that. I think Clay Buchholz knows that. Your time will come.”
It’s true that there was no love lost this year between Beckett and much of the Boston fan base. Although he was an important part of the 2007 World Series Championship Red Sox team and he had great numbers while in Boston with 89 wins and 58 losses and an ERA of 4.17, this season he was an embarrassment.
He was 5-11 with a 5.23 ERA. He gave up 16 homeruns. After being scratched from a start due to a shoulder problem, Beckett drew the ire of Red Sox fans by going golfing. His performance on the mound was simply disastrous.
Beckett claimed that he was misunderstood and his feelings regarding his performance were misconstrued by many who felt he did not care.
He said, “You want to pitch good. It wasn’t working out. There’s times I wish I could have been more consistent.”
If anything, he was consistently bad throughout the 2012 season. Although he claims that those who were enjoying his failure and who lived to criticize him were wrong headed and out to get him, the facts are the facts and his stats simply stunk. That was the skinny on Beckett this season and it’s why he’s gone.
I think his comments are poorly timed and reveal a lack of judgment on his part. He seems to be disconnected from reality. The smartest thing Beckett could do is simply be quite and prove his critics wrong by winning. That did not happen in his first start for the Dodgers as he went 5.1 innings and gave up 3 runs on 7 hits.
It was not a terrible start but it also was not a win. Wins have been few and far between for Beckett this season and now he’s lost again by burning bridges with Boston fans, proving he’s a poor sport and giving more ammunition to those he feel he’s one of those spoiled athletes who is simply paid too much. Let’s see if he can get his sixth win of the 2012 season in his next start for the Dodgers. He certainly could not do that for the Red Sox.
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