Full Count Comcast Business Class
A Furiously Updated Red Sox Blog
WEEI.com Blog Network
Beckett likes Halladay, but loves his guys, too 07.09.09 at 8:40 am ET
By Rob Bradford

Josh Beckett doesn’t know Roy Halladay all that well, but he knows of Halladay, and in the Red Sox’ pitcher’s mind, that’s plenty.

Beckett has long been an admirer of Halladay, identifying the Toronto starter as a standard bearer when it comes to the fraternity of aces. So, obviously, the thought of potentially playing with the Jays’ hurler piques the Sox’ ace’s interest.

“I think that would be great,” said Beckett prior to the Red Sox’ 5-4 win over the A’s, Wednesday night. “Obviously if you can add something like that it’s a big deal. I can imagine it. I don’t know if it’s going to happen or not. We’ll see.”

If any deal was struck in regards to bringing Halladay to Boston, it could very well affect Beckett. Both pitchers’ deals are up after the 2010 season (assuming the Red Sox pick up their stopper’s $12 million team option), and it would appear to be difficult for any team — high-end payroll or not — to allocate so much money and yearly commitment to two starting pitchers.

No matter, Beckett only knows what he sees when it comes to Halladay. He has heard about the Toronto pitcher’s in-between-start work ethic, while also witnessing Halladay’s handiwork when it comes time to step on the mound. And both have served as influences on how Beckett goes about doing his own business.

“I like to watch him pitch, although I don’t like to watch him pitch against us because he does so well against everybody. I just like the way he approaches his craft,” Beckett said. “Every one of his pitches are meant for him to swing at, get out and get to the next guy. As far as the mental aspect of the game goes, he’s so far ahead of everybody. That’s what I like to watch, his competitiveness, how he goes pitch to pitch. He does all the things we’re all striving to do. It’s just his craft, that’s what I like to watch.”

Yet Beckett also wants to make it perfectly clear that while joining forces with Halladay would be an honor, he also feels the same sense of privilege pitching with his current rotation-mates. 

“I’m doing that with some of the guys I have right now,” said Beckett of getting the chance to live the dream of playing with certain players. “John Smoltz is certainly one of those guys. Brad Penny. Wake (Tim Wakefield). And Jon Lester is to me starting to mold into stuff-wise the best lefty in the game. I know that there are guys who say he doesn’t have the numbers to stack up against these guys, but as far as going about his business and the stuff I get to see on a day to day basis, he’s turning into that guy. I actually cherish the time I get to spend with Jon Lester because I know down the road that’s what people will be saying about this guy.

“I would take any of the guys we have right now. These are all guys I’m in the fox hole with right now.”

Read More: Josh Beckett, Roy Halladay, Print  |  Email  |  Bark It Up!  |  Digg It
  • JimT

    Red Sox fans should feel extremely fortunate that the ownership group went with Theo and not JP Ricchardi. The recent release of B.J. Ryan points to just one of the many bad signings this guy has made. I know that he is a local (Massachusetts) guy and he gets some play on WEEI but frankly he has done a pretty crappy job with the Blue Jays.

    He is saddled with bad contracts on Vernon Wells and Alex Rios and as a consiquence is shopping his best performer and greatest asset Roy Halliday. Maybe if the Jays let him go he’ll be enticed to join the staff of Brian Cashman. They can make bad signings together.

  • tj

    depending on who you have to give up i think this could be a no brainer…halladay beckett lester as 1.2.3 plus dice-k…that would be a dominant rotation for many years to come

  • http://all-links.fotki.com/laptop/ Nicholas T.

    Your post is motivation for me to learn more about this topic. I must admit your clarity broadened my sentiments and I’ll immediately take your rss feed to stay up to date on every coming posts you might publish. You deserve gives thanks for the job well done!

  • Robert

    Why do these old posts keep popping up with someone licking the writers boots?
    Will agree with one thing. Richardi did a bad job, but you can’t fault him for B.J. Ryan. At the time, he was one nasty LHder. Who knew his arm would go? Not tying up Halliday for his career was his, and ownership’s worst mistake. If the Jays had Haliday last year, they would have made the playoffs. He was under contract for last year, but they traded him for for a box of peanuts before the season. He was their franchise player. A HOFer. Dumb!

  • http://germforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=135851&p=203490#p203490 mbt shoes men

    There’s noticeably a bundle to know about this. I assume you made certain nice factors in options also.

  • http://haveagooddayquotes.com/why-%E2%80%9Chave-a-good-day-quotes%E2%80%9D-are-important/ Have A Good Day Quotes

    certainly like your web site however you have to check the spelling on quite a few of your posts. Several of them are rife with spelling problems and I in finding it very bothersome to inform the reality nevertheless I’ll certainly come again again.

  • http://www.monclerjacketsoutletmall.com Moncler jackets outlet

    I do believe you then have a good website below today was initially my personal very first time approaching right here.. I transpired to get this doing a google search. nevertheless, good post.. Ill often be bookmarking this blog no doubt.

  • http://classic-weathervane.onsugar.com/Show-Me-Money-20157643 weathervane

    We stumbled over here different web address and thought I should check things out. I like what I see so now i am following you. Look forward to exploring your web page again.

Red Sox Headlines
Red Sox Minor League News
Red Sox Team Leaders
MLB Headlines
Tips & Feedback

Verify