Josh Beckett ~ Attempt at Becoming Legendary (2008)

[rjsuperfly66]

http://digitalderek.typepad.com/sawxblog/photos/2007/playoffs/josh_beckett_ace.jpg

March 30, 2008

Hey everybody. In an attempt to become closer with the fans who have followed me throughout my whole career to date, I decided it would be time to reward them for being loyal and letting them get to know to inside information to the real Josh Beckett.

First of all, I would like to thank you for your support. Without having such loyal fans here in Red Sox nation, I do not think my career would have flourished like it did last season.

With that said, as successful as last season was, this season is going to be different. We have some different, but certainly key 'role' players coming in for us that we hope can help keep us on top. One of them is Bartolo Colon. He came into camp as a non-roster invitee and showed that he has still got game, which is ever so important now that Schilling is down for what realistically looks like the season. Another key piece to our puzzle is Sean Casey, as he is a solid infielder with great hitting ability, and looks to be able to add some power as a pinch hitter late in games. With the organization releasing Doug Mirabelli a few weeks ago, the club has struggled to find a replacement, but has decided Kevin Cash will be the man to start the season. Kevin has been around for a while, and can certainly help us achieve some new greatness this season.

After winning the World Series in the previous year, Spring Training is always a lot of fun. I suffered through some back spasms early, but in the past week my back has felt much better and after a side session and a brief appearance a few days ago, we decided I should be able to go come opening day.

I'm looking forward to finally starting the seasons and hopefully getting it off with a bang.

- Josh

[rjsuperfly66]

http://www.sportscartel.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/josh-beckett.jpg

March 31, 2008 at Oakland

Well, when I came on the mound in the bottom of the first inning, I was lucky that my teammates had already gifted me with a 1-0 lead. My goal early was to hammer the zone with fastballs. Unfortunately for me, I got thrown off-track of that goal when the first hitter, Mark Kotsay, bunted for a single. No problem though, induced the double play and we are out of the inning.

Second inning, I leave a changeup high in the zone, and its a lead-off double to start the inning. Leave a fastball high a few pitches later, another double, and as quickly as we got it I gave up the lead. So a strikeout and an intentional walk, and we have two men on, one out. A deep flyout to left gives us two outs. Strikeout of Suzuki ends the inning, a tough one to claw out of. It was an early challenge and I was glad that I was able to get through it virtually untouched.

I breeze through the third and fourth, and in Top 5 we score two runs so we got a 3-1 lead. Just been cruisin through.

In the sixth, leadoff man gets on, but Pedroia puts a flip behind his back to convert the double play. Dustin really is a tremendous defender. Wow!!

I really had the fastball going today though. It was strong, and produced virtually all my K's. I was very happy with my command, although some pitches were in left in terrible locations early.

After striking out the side in the eighth, Teto told me I wouldnt be returning for another inning. Why not turn it to Pap with a 3-1 lead? Of course I would have liked the complete game but no reason to risk injury, especially after the scare I've had.

Big Papi paced us today going 3-5 with a double and a homer. Pap uncharacteristically gave up a run in the ninth, but it was still a solid outing. For opening day to go as smoothly as it did, no one could ask more.

Lets just hope it goes as smoothly next time out there.

- Josh

Pitching Line: 8.0 Innings, 5 Hits, 1 Earned Run, 1 Walk, 11 Strikeouts

[rjsuperfly66]

http://imgsrv.itm-e1.com/image/weei/UserFiles/Image/Contests/517202.jpg

April 4, 2007 (Dennis and Callahan Morning Show)

Dennis: Welcome back to this Friday edition of Dennis and Callahan. On the phone for his weekly interview is Josh Beckett.

Callahan: Hey Josh!

Josh: Hey guys, how you all doing in Massachusetts?

Callahan: Its goin good, glad for another season of Red Sox baseball, thats for sure.

Josh: Yea, it is definitely an exciting time of the year. Every year, no matter how long you've played, you always get the same excitement about starting another season.

Dennis: Well its good to hear you still have the passion for the game. What the biggest adjustment you needed to make heading into this season?

Josh: I needed to keep working on control. The fastball is my pitch, but I need to continue to improve my curveball, because without the ability to go offspeed, my pitches will not be effective. I've been throwing it more, especially in the postseason last year, and it has really paid off.

Callahan: Well that definitely showed, as you completely baffled hitters last October. But that is the past, how does the team look to you so far?

Josh: Well we are 2-2 right now, but the early season, records do not matter. Everyone has to shake off the rust, so 2-2 does not mean much to us right now. As long as we play to our potential, we know what we are capable of.

Dennis: So you think this team compares to last years well?

Josh: Definitely, there were some minor changes to our roster, but the key parts are all in place to make another run. It definitely hurts with Schill being out for a majority of the season, but ownership always shows its commitment, and Bartolo is fighter, and he can definitely replace Schill well.

Callahan: Well the team has looked decent so far this season. How did you feel about your first start?

Josh: It went really well. I struggled with my command early, but after being injured for a majority of the spring, that is going to happen. I was worried that the game was slipping away from me, but lucky for me I was able to get the fastball by some hitters and it opened up the rest of my pitches.

Dennis: So you start tomorrow in Toronto. What should we expect?

Josh: As a pitcher, you can never make any predictions. Toronto has some of the best hitters in the game, especially when it comes time to play us. They always show up, and it will be challenging. As long as my command is there, expect to see a good outing.

Callahan: Alright Josh, it has been good talking to you. Look forward to hearing from you next week.

Josh: Thanks guys, always a pleasure.

[footballfanatic84]

I like the whole first person aspect, and it's a fun read so far, I like what you've done.

Good first game for Beckett, 11 K's to only 1 walk is a good ratio, i'm a Sox fan so i'll be following this.

[WalkingSnake]

I like the whole first person aspect, and it's a fun read so far, I like what you've done.

I agree, I like it. Even though it seems like it'd be better to take somebody nobody's heard of and try to make them legendary, rather than this way. But I still like it. Unique perspective.

[rjsuperfly66]

When I go home I'll have to remember to grab the PSP that I forgot upon leaving last weekend. My bad guys

[boomosby50]

hey rj, is this like dead? Or are you just not playing it lately?