Editorials

Dodgers 2014 Player Reviews: Josh Beckett

[new_royalslider id=”149″] Right-hander Josh Beckett came over in the blockbuster trade in August of 2012 and settled in nicely at the end of that year. He was expected to be a member of the rotation in 2013, but he was forced to have surgery to remove a rib and started just eight games for the Dodgers.

Beckett worked his way back for 2014 and immediately produced, making the Dodger rotation one of the best in the league. The fourth man behind Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke and Hyun-Jin Ryu, Beckett was among the league leaders in various categories through the All-Star break. It seemed as if the Dodgers were going to be set at starting pitcher with that formidable foursome.



Shortly before the All-Star break, the right-hander went on the disabled list with a hip impingement. He missed a few starts and returned a couple weeks later. In his return, he struggled and in early August he was pulled from a start after just four innings due to discomfort. It would become the last time he pitched for the Dodgers and in his career. Beckett had a torn labrum and two cysts, and was recommended to have surgery. While he did not go through with the surgery, the 34-year-old announced he would not pitch again in 2014. Shortly after the season ended, Beckett said that he was retiring from baseball.

In his last season, the former All-Star went 6-6 with a 2.88 ERA and 107 strikeouts in 115.2 innings.

2014 Highlight

Despite the tough finish to his season and his career, Beckett enjoyed a career moment in 2014. On May 25 in Philadelphia, he took the mound against the Phillies and took the Dodgers on a ride that would end nine innings and 128 pitches later without a hit. Beckett threw the 21st no-hitter in Dodger history and became the oldest pitcher to do so since 2004. He struck out six and walked three batters in the game.

2015 Outlook

While retirement is never permanent, it seems as if we have seen the last of Josh Beckett on an MLB mound. His career came to an abrupt halt due to injuries, but he finished with one of the better years he’s had in recent memory. We could see Beckett on television in the coming years as an analyst.

Vincent Samperio

Vince is currently the Associate Editor and Social Media Manager for Dodgers Nation. Hailing from San Pedro, CA and a student at Cal State Long Beach, Vince has previously written for the Daily 49er and LASF Magazine.

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