Sports Redux: Beckettmania Grips Hub

Were we really worried last season that Josh Beckett wouldn't be able to cut it as a member of the Red Sox rotation? Were we really concerned about his history of injuries, his adjusting to the American League, his anything?

Well, we're not worried now, brother.

Beckett's 11-1, sailing along, and making the Padres (admittedly not an AL lineup, but still an NL power) look as docile as the critter pictured here. With all of his pitches working overtime, Josh held the Padres to a scattering of hits, only one of which (a double by Termell Sledge) did any damage.

Meanwhile, the Red Sox sent NL Cy Young candidate Jake Peavy to the showers earlier than he'd gone all year, scoring three runs in the third and making him throw an awful lot of pitches to get his outs. They also had him running all around the field to cover plays, which Don and Jerry speculated was a big reason Peavy couldn't go the distance. Big offense from Jason Varitek, with a triple (!) and a key insurance-run home run. Oh, and Jonathan Papelbon merely incinerated three overmatched Padres to pick up his 18th save.

So now it's on to Seattle, the last stop on the Sox' "All Over the Damn Country" tour. Julian Tavarez starts tonight, and for once doesn't get matched up against the other team's ace, as Seattle is sending 1-6 tomato can Jeff Weaver to the mound. This is a classic "trap" matchup, or at least looks like one, so let's make sure Weaver doesn't suddenly turn into a Sandy Koufax lookalike. Kason Gabbard will get the start Tuesday in Schilling's spot in the rotation.

And what's this we're hearing about Mark Buehrle? He's the no-hitter-throwing ace of the White Sox' staff, and with the Pale Hose going nowhere, he may be on the market as soon as right this second. And rumors are circulating that the Red Sox might be in on the bidding. We're frankly shocked that this could happen; what would be ideal is, if the Sox get him, for Curt Schilling to issue a statement that "we needed this guy".

We never stop scoreboard-watching, so we should note that the second-place team in the AL East got a brilliant pitching performance from an unsung hero. That's right, it was Dustin McGowan of the Blue Jays, who took a no-hitter into the ninth until Colorado's Jeff Baker singled to end it. So Toronto's .500, and we can't stop looking in the rear view mirror just yet.

And finally, like everyone else, we're totally baffled and saddened by the sudden death of former Sox closer Rod Beck at 38. Beck was the blue-collar, out-of-shape Everyman of the pitching staff, a guy who looked like he'd have been just as much at home painting the Monster for a living as pitching. He lived hard, pitched his ass off, and made a positive impression on everyone he met. He also gave sports one of its all-time best quotes: "I've never heard of anyone going on the disabled list because of pulled fat." We'll miss you, Rod.

Image of Huntin' Josh Beckett from Kevin Fowler Outdoors.