Comments on: Josh Beckett and the importance of learning how to pitch http://www.sethmnookin.com/blog/2006/07/15/josh-beckett-and-the-importance-of-learning-how-to-pitch/ Media, Baseball, Boston, the Red Sox, Music, Literature, and Mnookins Mon, 08 Sep 2008 17:20:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Reader mail: Did Larry railroad the team into the Beckett trade? at The Feeding the Monster Blog — In which the author discusses Boston, the Red Sox, the media, and very occasionally popular music. http://www.sethmnookin.com/blog/2006/07/15/josh-beckett-and-the-importance-of-learning-how-to-pitch/#comment-643602 Reader mail: Did Larry railroad the team into the Beckett trade? at The Feeding the Monster Blog — In which the author discusses Boston, the Red Sox, the media, and very occasionally popular music. Fri, 15 Aug 2008 02:14:49 +0000 http://www.sethmnookin.com/blog/2006/07/15/josh-beckett-and-the-importance-of-learning-how-to-pitch/#comment-643602 [...] don’t know as much about baseball as the baseball ops staff — to say the least — but I was concerned, and that was mainly because his fastball is as straight as John Wayne and he seemed perpetually [...] [...] don’t know as much about baseball as the baseball ops staff — to say the least — but I was concerned, and that was mainly because his fastball is as straight as John Wayne and he seemed perpetually [...]

]]> By: peds sal http://www.sethmnookin.com/blog/2006/07/15/josh-beckett-and-the-importance-of-learning-how-to-pitch/#comment-851 peds sal Wed, 06 Sep 2006 15:26:30 +0000 http://www.sethmnookin.com/blog/2006/07/15/josh-beckett-and-the-importance-of-learning-how-to-pitch/#comment-851 He was quoted as saying "stubborn stupidness" after the game against NY Yankees. I think what he meant was if I throw more curveballs my blister would crop up and would land me on DL. So he relies on his fastball. The problem is the hitters lay off his other stuff and wait for his fastball which resulted to his high number of homeruns given up this season. But next year would be a different Beckett. He will use his experience this season to perform much better next season. BTW, for all his inconsistencies this season he has already 14 wins right? He was quoted as saying “stubborn stupidness” after the game against NY Yankees. I think what he meant was if I throw more curveballs my blister would crop up and would land me on DL. So he relies on his fastball. The problem is the hitters lay off his other stuff and wait for his fastball which resulted to his high number of homeruns given up this season. But next year would be a different Beckett. He will use his experience this season to perform much better next season. BTW, for all his inconsistencies this season he has already 14 wins right?

]]> By: peds sal http://www.sethmnookin.com/blog/2006/07/15/josh-beckett-and-the-importance-of-learning-how-to-pitch/#comment-850 peds sal Wed, 06 Sep 2006 15:09:02 +0000 http://www.sethmnookin.com/blog/2006/07/15/josh-beckett-and-the-importance-of-learning-how-to-pitch/#comment-850 For all his (Josh Beckett) inconsistencies, however, he has proven that he can stay healthy all season long. Now that he has accomplished his goal of reaching 200 + innings pitched, 30 plus starts, next season (2007) will be different. With his experience in facing AL hitters, Josh will be wiser next year. He will certainly mix his pitches and next year we will see a different Beckett. For all his (Josh Beckett) inconsistencies, however, he has proven that he can stay healthy all season long. Now that he has accomplished his goal of reaching 200 + innings pitched, 30 plus starts, next season (2007) will be different. With his experience in facing AL hitters, Josh will be wiser next year. He will certainly mix his pitches and next year we will see a different Beckett.

]]> By: peds sal http://www.sethmnookin.com/blog/2006/07/15/josh-beckett-and-the-importance-of-learning-how-to-pitch/#comment-849 peds sal Wed, 06 Sep 2006 14:58:47 +0000 http://www.sethmnookin.com/blog/2006/07/15/josh-beckett-and-the-importance-of-learning-how-to-pitch/#comment-849 Josh Beckett's problems are psychological. He said prior to this season that his goal is to be healthy all season. His critics always say that he is not a workhorse not having pitched 200 + innings nor made 30 or more starts. So he wanted to prove his critics wrong. He also knows that the cause of his finger blister is the curveball, so he doesn't use it often, though he has an excellent curveball. There were many instances that he shook off his catcher calling for a curveball. Now he has proven to everyone that he can stay healthy all season long but what a price to pay, high ERA, more homeruns, more walks and being inconsistent because he doesn't mix his pitches. Josh Beckett’s problems are psychological. He said prior to this season that his goal is to be healthy all season. His critics always say that he is not a workhorse not having pitched 200 + innings nor made 30 or more starts. So he wanted to prove his critics wrong. He also knows that the cause of his finger blister is the curveball, so he doesn’t use it often, though he has an excellent curveball. There were many instances that he shook off his catcher calling for a curveball. Now he has proven to everyone that he can stay healthy all season long but what a price to pay, high ERA, more homeruns, more walks and being inconsistent because he doesn’t mix his pitches.

]]> By: misterrob http://www.sethmnookin.com/blog/2006/07/15/josh-beckett-and-the-importance-of-learning-how-to-pitch/#comment-135 misterrob Mon, 17 Jul 2006 20:53:18 +0000 http://www.sethmnookin.com/blog/2006/07/15/josh-beckett-and-the-importance-of-learning-how-to-pitch/#comment-135 Beckett has a problem getting his curveball over for strikes consistantly. He also has a problem spotting his pitches which everyone has seen by now... However, Why has he not learned how to throw a better change up? (paging Red Sox pitching coach...) Why has he not learned how to throw a splitter by now? With Schilling as a teammate there's no excuse for that. A split would make teams have to respect his fastball again. I am not convinced of his mental make up yet. He gets angry far too easy and tries to muscle hitters. Beckett has a problem getting his curveball over for strikes consistantly. He also has a problem spotting his pitches which everyone has seen by now…

However,

Why has he not learned how to throw a better change up? (paging Red Sox pitching coach…)

Why has he not learned how to throw a splitter by now? With Schilling as a teammate there’s no excuse for that. A split would make teams have to respect his fastball again.

I am not convinced of his mental make up yet. He gets angry far too easy and tries to muscle hitters.

]]> By: Rubber Arm http://www.sethmnookin.com/blog/2006/07/15/josh-beckett-and-the-importance-of-learning-how-to-pitch/#comment-134 Rubber Arm Mon, 17 Jul 2006 18:46:39 +0000 http://www.sethmnookin.com/blog/2006/07/15/josh-beckett-and-the-importance-of-learning-how-to-pitch/#comment-134 <strong>On these here internets...</strong> Josh Beckett never learned to pitch (SethMnookin.com) The Gyroball is coming to a park near you (Deadspin) Video of said Gyroball (YouTube) Yankees after Shawn Green? (Can't Stop the Bleeding) Mike Hargrove is killing the Mariners (USS Mariner) David ... On these here internets…

Josh Beckett never learned to pitch (SethMnookin.com) The Gyroball is coming to a park near you (Deadspin) Video of said Gyroball (YouTube) Yankees after Shawn Green? (Can’t Stop the Bleeding) Mike Hargrove is killing the Mariners (USS Mariner) David …

]]> By: Nordberg http://www.sethmnookin.com/blog/2006/07/15/josh-beckett-and-the-importance-of-learning-how-to-pitch/#comment-131 Nordberg Mon, 17 Jul 2006 05:18:54 +0000 http://www.sethmnookin.com/blog/2006/07/15/josh-beckett-and-the-importance-of-learning-how-to-pitch/#comment-131 Great observation on Beckett. One I had considered from the perspective of the chasm between the AL and NL, but not in those developmental terms. Two points: 1. The Sox probably cannot win without him this year, so he needs to figure it out quick. 2. Considering what they gave up to the Marlins to get him (Ramirez, Sanchez), and that they signed him to a one-year deal, to what extent do they go to to sign him next year? Yeah, the dude doesn't know how to pitch. And in Boston, yup, be the warrior. Teddy, Yaz, Fisk, Bird ... never show a weakness. Great observation on Beckett. One I had considered from the perspective of the chasm between the AL and NL, but not in those developmental terms.
Two points: 1. The Sox probably cannot win without him this year, so he needs to figure it out quick. 2. Considering what they gave up to the Marlins to get him (Ramirez, Sanchez), and that they signed him to a one-year deal, to what extent do they go to to sign him next year?
Yeah, the dude doesn’t know how to pitch.
And in Boston, yup, be the warrior. Teddy, Yaz, Fisk, Bird … never show a weakness.

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