Beckett mulling retirement By Ken Gurnick | MLB.com LOS ANGELES -- Injured Dodgers pitcher Josh Beckett is considering retirement and is expected to address his future before Friday's game against the D-backs. Beckett needs surgery to repair torn a labrum and a lesion in his left hip, which would require a four-month rehabilitation. Earlier this week, manager Don Mattingly said Beckett would not pitch again this year. Beckett has hinted at retirement this season, especially since his hip flared up in a baserunning mishap in Colorado on July 6. He went on the disabled list, returned to make three more painful starts, then was disabled again on Aug. 4. He's a high-mileage 34-year-old, having thrown 2,051 innings in 14 big league seasons.
he's done it all in his career. happy trails if this is it. seems as though the guy got a bad rap..seemed like an OK guy to me. if he pitches again, maybe it's for an AL team like the Halos
I think he's a bit premature. He's going to be out a year, but why not try a comeback as a bullpen arm? He certainly wouldn't be the first to do it, and he might get several more years in the show if he reinvents himself. Not to mention it would be a great story.
He might not want to be a bp arm. Dude has had a really good career. Two World Series titles, and MVP in 2003, ALCS MVP. Sometimes, a guy just has to say he's done. All these injuries may just try and tell him something. Gotta respect a guy for being able to call it quits so he can enjoy life later.
Could be, but he's only 34 right? Most guys like him who have been real competitors aren't ready to hang it up at that early age. I gotta think that if he could be an effective set up guy or closer that he would take the chance to enjoy a few more years in the sun, especially if he could do it on a winner.
Got to see my first ever Dodger no-hitter with him on the mound. Will always remember his time in blue, believe it or not.
The guy knows if he can or can not, up to the level he needs that suits him. He reinvented himself, and any guy who does that and is effective for any length of time deserves credit... and had his last hurrah (possibily) with us, went into the record books, and that may be that. Good luck if that's whats meant to be.
Not accusing Beckett of having done anything in the past but if the PEDs are really being cleaned up in the sport, I would expect that mid 30's returns to being old again. Injuries become harder and harder to recoup from and without magic juice, he may not want to go through the extra effort.
In his case I'm sure it's more mental than physical. Sure he can heal and rehab but mentally he probably just isn't sure if he feels it is worth it or he just might not have that fire left inside. The guy is probably thinking, get the surgery get some rehab and be sure he has a productive life after that for his family. He doesn't need the money. If he were five years younger, coming back would be a no brainer.
No surprise here. You could hear it in his words about quality time with his family in just about every interview. Helluva career elsewhere but the No-No in BLUE makes for a nice swan song... Buh-bye!
He's pitched a no-no, he's a 2 time champion and even won an MVP of a World Series. He's got nothing to prove so why put yourself through the torture. Good luck to you Josh!!!!!
Yeah. He's done pretty much everything save for the Cy Young. He's not getting that so if he's done, he's got nothing to be ashamed of with all of those accomplishments.
Being injured year after year definitely takes a toll on your mental state. After 5 straight years of losing all or most of a season due to arm injuries, 2 surgeries (1 major,1 minor) as well countless cortisone shots all leading to major bouts with depression, I finally said enough was enough. I was healthy when I walked away from the game and it was more related to, is it worth sticking around and seeing if I can have the slim chance of making it a career or potentially making things worse and be a guy who may never be able to play catch with his kid someday. Beckett has dealt with some pretty major injuries lately and I'm sure he's tired of sitting hurt on the sidelines and thinking what next will happen.