Don't worry, everyone- nothing has changed with Josh Beckett. I know there were some grave concerns that maybe Josh had changed- that he had starting smiling, engaging reporters, sharing his feelings, laughing and joking with the media and generally playing the clown. Never fear, the same Josh reported for duty in the press room today for his day-before press conference. He's still talking about executing pitches, he's still pulling faces at reporters' stupid questions, he's still giving stilted answers when he's annoyed. He just LOVES this part of his job.

Never change one bit, Josh.

Best part of the whole interview? The reporter who asks him about being "locked in", and Josh furrows his brow and makes a face as though the reporter was asking him if he preferred the color green on Tuesdays: "I don't even know what that means." And then you hear various reporters in the room trying to stifle their giggles. I'm betting it was a Colorado guy asking the question, and the giggles were from Boston guys who found his initiation in the Rollercoaster Of The Josh Beckett Press Conference funny.

I take it back, best part was this whole exchange- I think he's tired of answering this same question, phrased 100 different ways:

Q: If you had been needed in game 7, a few days ago, could you have physically pitched? And how are you feeling right now at this point in the season, physically?

A: I feel fine. Yes I could have pitched.

No, wait- I'm positive the real best part was when the lady running the press conference tells him he's done, and he pops up out of that seat so fast it's like his pants are on fire... and then he has to sit back down and take one more question. Hee.

Here's video of the full conference, from start to finish:

Josh gets a big Hook 'Em Horns from me for also supporting the Texas Music scene with his Kevin Fowler shirt. Nice choice, Josh- I own 4 of the 5 Kevin Fowler albums, and let me say: you have excellent taste. And if anyone wants to sample some of Kevin's music, please let me suggest you buy from Lone Star Music, rather than some large faceless national chain store. And you can buy Josh's "Long Line of Losers: My Bloodline Makes Me Who I Am" shirt right here.

nothin' makes a Texas girl happier than Josh giving the Hook 'Em Horns

One noticeable absence: no cussing. Typically, we don't get full-on cussfests pregame- Josh reserves those special treats for postgame comments. But this makes me wonder: is there any chance the MLB senior vice president for club relations can say or do anything that prevents Josh from saying exactly what's on his mind in exactly whatever manner he chooses? I doubt it.