Beckett On Boston

The quotes in this post and the subject matter itself were gleaned from Dan Shaughnessy's Boston Globe article today. I thank him. Now, let's talk about Boston Red Sox ace Josh Beckett, who unless the Sox do something, will test the free agent waters after the 2010 season. THAT CANNOT HAPPEN. Beckett has seen what other premium starting pitchers (Sabathia, Lackey and more) are being paid for their services. At $30 million for his three year contract extension, right now he's a Boston bargain. John Henry must shell up the dinero to keep him on this always contending club for the NEXT three years. Here's Josh on the subject...

“That stuff is going to work itself out and I’m really not too concerned with it and I don’t really have anything to say about contract stuff,’’ he started. “I really don’t have anything to say right now. I don’t think I’ll have anything to say at all during spring training. I don’t want that to be the focus on what I’m trying to do."

Knowing Josh the way I do, he will focus on pitching his team into the post season. I just know it. And how does Beckett enjoy playing in the city some call the "hub of the universe?"

"It’s a blast. Playing in Boston is fun. You’ve got 50,000 people plus another 2 million watching you every night whether you’re pitching or not. That’s fun. There’s not too many places like that."

As every pitcher does, he has his four or five bad starts every year but the others, most of 'em, are things of beauty and dominance over the contending club. The Boston Red Sox would not be the Boston Red Sox without Josh Beckett toeing the rubber EVERY FIVE DAYS. We need you, Mr. Beckett. Josh, I know from Dan Shaughnessy's piece that Theo Epstein called you after the eighty plus million dollar signing of John Lackey. He'll be great, tremendous in fact, but NOBODY can take your place. Stay with the Boston Red Sox. Please. WE NEED YOU.

The Winter Olympics have been simply fantastic. Click on this post's title for Sports illustrated dot com's unique and terrific coverage of all the weekend events and medals. A piece of heaven on Earth from me to you. Enjoy and as always, BE WELL. See you tomorrow.