Goddamn Josh Beckett

I have little to say that this guy hasn't said already:
Seth Mnookin on Josh Beckett and Matt Clement.

I would like to add, though, that it should seem fairly obvious to anyone who isn't a) an idiot, or b) Theo Epstein that Beckett's swagger and Little League "I dare you to try and hit my (flat, up-in-the-zone) fastball" attitude won't make for a long and successful career, and certainly doesn't make him worth $30 million. Curt Schilling, as quoted in ESPN The Magazine, endorses Beckett's cocky approach--apparently the leadership he brings to the dugout doesn't include emphasizing the finer points of pitching (such as location, patience) and this is surprising, considering Schilling loves to relate a story how when he was a young pitcher with Houston, Roger Clemens lectured with a preacher's passion on what Schilling needed to do to become the pitcher he could be. (What did Clemens say? "Not a lot of it is printable," Schilling said, drawing laughter.)

Maybe that's what Beckett and his 5+ ERA needs--a swift kick in the ass, and not a buddy who defends macho posturing that isn't even backed up by quality performance. Beckett proved in the 2003 postseason (and in several great starts he's had this year) that he has the potential to be a great pitcher. He has a lot of pop on his fastball, a curveball that--on the rare occasion he's not missing locations or throwing it in the dirt--can be very effective, and the spirit of a competitor. But being aggressive and cocky can destroy a player if he can't harness his emotions and use it to his advantage. Having a hard fastball means nothing if you can't locate it. Having a great curveball won't help you if it's off half the time. And while we're at it, maybe adding a new pitch to the repertoire (see: Pedro, Clemens, Maddux) wouldn't hurt?