Beckett Simply Keeping with Tradition

A lot of people have their proverbial panties in a bunch over Josh Beckett’s high-and-tight pitch in the first inning of Boston’s game against Los Angeles on Easter Sunday. Pundits, fans of other Major League clubs and even some who root for the Red Sox have labeled Beckett’s "misfire" as dirty, dangerous and suspension worthy. I say, relax people, stop being so sensitive. Boston’s ace was doing what his pitching brethren have taught him through the decades. Beckett was sending a message. You can call it archaic, but it’s part of America’s pastime.

Hitting a batter in the head is clearly wrong, but throwing a baseball in that general direction isn’t. I think this is where people are missing the point. No harm, no foul, message sent. Yes, it could have led to something painful, but since the ball made its way to the backstop without taking off a chunk of Bobby Abreu’s face, all’s good in the hood. Let me make a pop culture reference to help you better understand. Remember the scene in Top Gun when Maverick buzzed the tower? Sure, it was dangerous, but since Maverick didn’t actually crash into the tower, it really wasn’t that big of a deal, now was it? Beckett didn’t hit Abreu. He sent a message that loosely translated into “Even though I took forever to deliver the pitch, if you wanted to call timeout, you should have done it before I began my motion. You had plenty of time.” If the bodies that rule baseball decide to disallow the pitchers’ right to brush a guy off the plate, which has been suggested by some, it will have a steroid-like effect. If a batter can stand in the box and hover over the plate with no fear of catching one with their body rather than their bat, offensive numbers will increase in a game where hitting already dominates its counterpart.

For those who were busy eating or watching The Masters, Abreu was granted time while Beckett was in mid-windup. A laser beam whistled oh-so-close to Abreu’s face, he got upset, the notoriously hotheaded Beckett got upset, the benches cleared (twice), and Los Angeles had a relief pitcher, its starting centerfielder, hitting coach and manager ultimately tossed because of it.

Despite the naughty words exchanged and ejections, Los Angeles went on to win, 5-4, thanks largely in part to Abreu’s eventual game-winning two-run single off his new arch nemesis. It was just one pitch in an interminably long baseball season, and although there was no retaliation attempted by the Angels Sunday, the two squads will meet again in California for a three-game series beginning May 12. Some Sox batter will inevitably acquire a bruised backside or worse, and I'll have no problem with that.

Still, the reaction to Beckett’s sweet chin music was a bit overblown. Realistically, he had no other option. Baseball isn’t football, hockey or even basketball where a player can deliver an extra hard hit. Throwing at Abreu was the only legitimate card Beckett had to play. What did people want him to do, yell real loud? Beckett’s a professional pitcher. He’s paid millions of dollars to throw a little ball really hard at a catcher’s mitt. He’s considered one of the best at his trade because he performs that task better than most.

Beckett was at fault for exacerbating the situation. Abreu didn’t charge the mound. Even Beckett can’t blame the Angel or his teammates for being upset especially when the pitcher stormed towards the batter’s box. The Los Angeles players were standing up for one of their own. Everyone understands that concept. It’s an age-old baseball custom. Why can’t people understand that when Beckett delivered a fastball high-and-inside, he was just continuing the same age-old custom established by predecessors Walter Johnson (205 career hit batsmen), Randy Johnson (188), Roger Clemens (159), Nolan Ryan (158) and Pedro Martinez (137)?

On a baseball aside, best wishes to Harry Kalas’ family. The voice of the Philadelphia Phillies, who was also known for his work with NFL Films, died yesterday afternoon at a local Washington hospital after passing out in the broadcast booth prior to the Phillies-Nationals game – a sadly fitting place for the National Baseball Hall of Fame inductee to collapse. As an avid sports fan, no longer hearing his baritone voice will leave me listening for something I will no longer be able to hear.

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