Life Magazine Ranks Josh Beckett Among 17 Best Playoff Pitchers

Ever wonder where Josh Beckett ranks among the all-time great pitchers?

Injury-riddled regular seasons have made it difficult to pinpoint where the Red Sox ace falls in the annals of history. But one thing’s certain: He’s been lights out in the playoffs, with the 2003 World Series MVP to prove it.

Beckett joined Pedro Martinez and Curt Schilling as the only Red Sox on Life Magazine’s list of the top 17 best big-game pitchers.

Where does Beckett fall if you factor in regular-season performance? That’s a different debate. But a 7-2 record with 96 strikeouts in 87 playoff innings, including a 2-0 record and a 1.93 ERA in the Red Sox’ come-from-behind ALCS win over the Indians in 2007, shows he belongs on a list with postseason greats like Mickey Lolich, Jack Morris and Whitey Ford.