CENTER FIELD :: Josh Beckett Is Really Psyched

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Josh Beckett Is Really Psyched

Josh Beckett is totally psyched!

He's not going to let a bad picture (or two) ruin his mojo. He was out with the other pitchers in group A (including Matsuzaka, Lester and Wakefield) throwing a full session today. And he's not going to let you get away with calling him a hero.

I was proud to be a part of [winning the World Series in 2007], as I was in 2003, but I don't look at it like I was some hero. I think it took all of us to win, whether it be Jacoby (Ellsbury's) catch against the wall or Mike Lowell's homerun or (a pinch-hit Game 4 homer by) Bobby Kielty.

Josh is apparently a big, smiley happy fan of world peace. And he also doesn't want to hear any noise about his contract.

"Were you upset that I signed for a discount?" Beckett said to a reporter. "I'm not upset."

That first picture makes me extraordinarily happy because I'm choosing to believe he's once again giving the Hook 'Em Horns sign, despite his shameful Aggie leanings.

And, of course, you know I've got video for you of Josh's press conference down in Florida today. Apparently, 2008 Spring model Josh may come with a few extra pounds, but he also likes to pull faces and he sits down to talk to reporters WITHOUT ROLLING HIS EYES. OR TALKING ABOUT EXECUTING PITCHES. We're through the looking glass, folks.

video courtesy of NESN

I'm calling it now: "pitch to pitch" is the new "executing pitches" for 2008.

Photos credit: Brita Meng Outzen & Matt Stone

Comments (5)

[ jenny again ] says:
on February 18, 2008 9:38 AM

so i'm trying to figure out how to manage my expectations of beckett this year. last year when he went 5-0 in april, i did a pretty serious double-take and have been madly in love w/ the guy ever since, but i'm harboring no small amount of trepidation due to the sky-high expectations we all seem to have concocted for him in '08. i know the kid thrives on pressure (nnngh) but this is why underdogs are so much easier to root for: crushing disappointment isn't waiting in the wings if imperfection occurs.

so, really, i don't quite know how to feel right now. maybe i'll try for "hopeful." ;D

::clings to commander kick-ass::

[ starr4 ] says:
on February 18, 2008 9:59 AM

I second that from TG: it's pitch-by-pitch, hour-by-hoiur this year. Let's keep an early tally, shall we?

I have no doubt about Commander Kick-ass. He's gonna kick ass, as long as he stays healthy.

Glad to see the shades make an appearance yesterday, too.

[ Texas Gal ] says:
on February 18, 2008 11:30 AM

It wasn't too long ago he was underperforming the insanely high expectations for him... I hope we don't get a repeat. His PECOTA projections for 2008 don't have him doing near as well as last year:

Beckett (2007 results): 20-7, 3.27/1.141/.239, 200.2 IP, 194 K, 40 BB
Beckett (2008 PECOTA): 14-8, 3.64/1.22/.237, 205 IP, 176 K, 60 BB

I know that a lot of those 08 figures are probably influenced by 06, but still.

[ jenny again ] says:
on February 18, 2008 11:47 AM

hmm, maybe i should be careful what i wish for.

GO JOSH! defeat those not-so-lofty PECOTA numbers!

[ starr4 ] says:
on February 18, 2008 4:56 PM

TG: any sense of how PECOTA numbers stacked up to 2006, 2007 performances? Can you give us a primer on PECOTA? If you have already, can you supply the link? THX.

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