Josh Beckett knows what’s going on.
He knows he’s pitching well. He understands what is working and what isn’t. And he isn’t turning a blind-eye to what might happen if he continues to keep doing what he’s doing.
But mention “Cy Young” and you’ll most likely get one of the pitcher’s trademark “it’s one of those deals” synopses. Beckett has come to learn what works in concocting a successful season, and one thing he gleaned from two years ago is that stressing about an award isn’t worth it.
“It’s all about me making that next pitch in my next start. I love being mentioned as that guy, but honestly I can’t think about that right now,” Beckett said. “We all know how that (stuff) works. It’s not like I’m the most friendly guy ever. But I’m not going kiss somebody’s (butt) just to have somebody vote for me. I’m not going to get outside my comfort zone just to make sure that happens.”
If there are two things you should know about Beckett is that he is: A. Extraordinarily genuine (to the discomfort of some); B. Keenly self-aware.
He hasn’t forgotten that two writers left him completely off his ballot in 2007 when CC Sabathia garnered nine more first-place votes than Beckett on the way to earning the Cy Young Award that season. And the Red Sox hurler believes he knows why that might have been the case.
Beckett fully accepts some media members’ perception that he is somewhat unapproachable, sometimes short with his analysis, and doesn’t carry the same gregarious nature of a Sabathia. And he also comprehends that when it comes to postseason awards, that vibe isn’t going to do him any favors.
When Beckett curses during a post-game press conference, he knows what he's doing (and, if it was up to him, he would have the writers print his words verbatim). And if time is asked of him for some sort of quote on any other day other than either the game he pitches, or the one immediately after, the 29-year-old has accepted the backlash when the inquisitor is turned away.
Beckett knows how his job is best approached, how to be a good teammate, and that worrying about what people think isn’t going to be beneficial to the cause. As Sox’ outfielder Jason Bay explained, “He’s a (expletive) when he needs to be.” And while that won’t sway skeptical Cy Young voters, it will be a big reason why he finds himself in the conversation for the award once again.
‘HALLADAY IS DOING 20’
It’s not as if Beckett is day-dreaming while doodling pictures of the Cy Young Award, but the thing it represents has been put on a pedestal by the pitcher. Becoming the best is why finding the right process has become so important.
“I can’t say I’m not somebody who sets goals. I think everybody, when you get to this point in your life as a professional baseball player, has goals. But I try to stay in the moment,” Beckett explained. “I work toward something and the way you work toward something is to prepare yourself every day to be successful.”
It’s just that sometimes staying in the here and now -- which is undeniably Beckett’s biggest priority -- merges with what lies ahead. Case in point: his workouts with both his personal trainer, Randon Hayes, and Dave Page, the Red Sox’ strength and conditioning coach.
“During the offeseason, Randon harps on stuff, like, ‘You’ve got to do this. So and so is doing this and you’re sitting on your (butt),” Beckett explained. “And Pager gets on my (butt). I’ll do like 15 push-ups and he will yell over, ‘Halladay is doing 20!’ It’s fun, but it also gives you a little kick in the (butt).
“Those are the things that make me feel like I’m prepared. I’m not a big paperwork guy. I’m not studying those scouting reports to the tee. There are a few things I want to know off the scouting report, but I get my information and then I’m done with the scouting report. And then the four days in between my starts I prepare myself to feel like there’s no way I can lose on the day I pitch because I prepared harder. I did everything I could for the last four days to be successful and I can’t lose because I don’t want to waste all of that.”
It’s worked.
Beckett has the most wins in the majors
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