Josh Beckett's time in Boston could be summer up in one word, really: enigmatic.
The three-time All-Star came from the Florida Marlins in 2005 in a deal that saw prized prospect Hanley Ramirez head south in return. Beckett entered his career in Boston with a World Series title already and the expectations of a Cy Young award winner. A roller-coaster ride ensued.
Beckett took the mound a whopping 202 times — including playoff appearances — over six seasons with the Red Sox and saw both the highest of highs and lowest of lows during his tenure.
In 2007, Beckett was a key cog in the Red Sox' World Series title, pitching Boston out of a tough 3-1 hole. He led the Sox to a Game 5 rout of the Indians in
the ALCS, sparking Boston on to the World Series, where the Red Sox swept
the Rockies for the crown. Beckett also barely missed out on the Cy Young award that year, finishing second to CC Sabathia.
Some injuries and an another All-Star appearance snuck in over the next few seasons, but in 2011, Beckett reached the other end of the pendulum. After securing the best record in baseball for much of the season, the Red Sox watched their season implode around a feast of chicken and beer on the way to the worst September collapse in history, including a 7-20 September to finish things off.
Beckett's role in the September miscues and the clubhouse response
enraged Red Sox Nation, and the staff's ace soon fell out of favor. The criticism against Beckett and his attitude amidst the losses continued throughout the 2012 season, all the way up to the megadeal that sent Beckett to L.A. over the weekend.
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