Josh Beckett is one of my favorite pitchers ever for sure. He was really dominant for awhile and he was particularly good in the playoffs.
Beckett was a starting MLB pitcher from 2001-2014 and he made a name for himself on both the Marlins and the the Red Sox. I believe that's what makes Beckett's career pretty special. He helped bring both of the teams he played for the longest World Series Titles.
Beckett played for the Marlins from 2001-2005 and he didn't have the best W-L records in most of his years there but he had a good .ERA with them. Beckett had a 41-34 record with a 3.46 ERA with the Marlins. Most importantly though, Beckett helped the Marlins win the 2003 World Series, and pitched so well he was named World Series MVP. He was actually the opening day pitcher for the Marlins that season and literally made the last out for the Marlins as they won the World Series in New York vs the Yankees.
I remember this play well, as it was the first World Series I ever watched in full.
Josh Beckett joined the Red Sox from 2006-2012, and that was for sure Beckett's prime as a pitcher, and boy was it great.
I always thought his 2007 performance was particularly brilliant as he went 20-7 with a 3.27 ERA that season. He also placed second in AL Cy Young award voting that year, losing out to C.C. Sabathia. Beckett did earn his first All-Star appearance though, and he helped the Red Sox win the World Series that season! He didn't get the World Series MVP, but he did win the ALCS MVP! Like I said, Beckett was clutch in the playoffs!
Beckett earned two more All-Star appearances in 2009 and 2011. He joined the Dodgers for a little over two seasons but overall, his career seemed to become injury riddled the rest of the way.
In his final season he did accomplish one last great act that really solidified his greatness. He threw a no-hitter against my Phillies!
Beckett retired in 2014 with a 138-106 record and a 3.66 ERA and 1,901 strikeouts. Pretty great career!!
I actually believe I may have seen the Phillies play the Marlins in 2003 in Philadelphia. It may have been 2004 though.
Src
