Josh Beckett

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Beckett's journey began at Spring High School in Texas, where he was initially cut from the team for poor grades and attitude during his freshman year. After a growth spurt and academic improvement, he returned as a sophomore with a 9–3 record and a 1.18 ERA, tossing three no-hitters. By junior year, Baseball America ranked him the top high school prospect in the nation. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays passed on him for Josh Hamilton, citing Beckett's arrogance, while Marlins scouting director Al Avila praised his "bulldog" mentality and overpowering fastball. Beckett signed a four-year, $7 million contract with the Marlins in August 1999, including a $3.625 million signing bonus that exceeded what most major leaguers on the roster earned.

In Their Own Story

Beckett made his MLB debut on September 4, 2001, against the Chicago Cubs, pitching six shutout innings with one hit allowed and earning his first win. He struggled with injuries early in his career, including shoulder tendinitis and a frayed rotator cuff caused by excessive weight lifting while on the disabled list. In 2003, at age 22, he became the youngest Opening Day starter in Marlins history despite lasting only 2 2/3 innings in that game due to errors. He returned from an elbow injury in July and led the Marlins to the World Series. In Game 6 of the series against the New York Yankees on three days' rest, he pitched a complete-game shutout, striking out nine batters including Jorge Posada for the final out to clinch the title.

Reader's Guide

Beckett was traded from the Marlins to the Boston Red Sox in November 2005 as part of a multi-player deal that sent Hanley Ramírez, Aníbal Sánchez, Jesús Delgado, and Harvey García to Florida. He won the 2007 World Series with Boston, earning the ALCS MVP award. In 2012, he was traded again, this time to the Los Angeles Dodgers in another multi-player transaction. With the Dodgers, he recovered from a serious injury that sidelined him for most of the 2013 season and threw a no-hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies on May 25, 2014, becoming the 19th pitcher in franchise history to achieve this feat. His 2014 season was cut short by another injury, leading to his retirement announcement on October 7, 2014.

Did You Know?

• The Tampa Bay Devil Rays passed on Beckett with the first pick in the 1999 draft due to concerns about his perceived arrogance, selecting Josh Hamilton instead.
• Beckett's signing bonus of $3.625 million was larger than the salary of every player on the Marlins' major league roster except for pitcher Alex Fernandez.
• As a high school sophomore, Beckett tossed three no-hitters while posting a 1.18 ERA and a 9–3 record after being cut from the team his freshman year.
• In Game 6 of the 2003 World Series, Beckett pitched on only three days' rest to shut out the Yankees in a complete game, striking out nine batters.
• Beckett threw a no-hitter for the Dodgers against the Philadelphia Phillies on May 25, 2014, just months before announcing his retirement due to injury.