Beckett Brilliant in Game 1

108 pitches, 83 strikes 8 K's and ZERO runs in a complete game shutout against the American League West Champion, LA Angels.

It's been a joy to watch the evolution of Josh Beckett over the past two seasons. He arrived in Beantown a damn-the-torpedoes fastballer who treated his second and third pitch like runners-up at the Miss America pageant - only to be used if #1 should fall from grace.

Beckett was a stubborn student. In 2006, seemingly convinced that his fastball was like no other, he continued rely on that one pitch. Subsequently, he gave up 37 home runs as AL sluggers taught him a valuable lesson - you don't grade without a curve.

In 2007, Beckett arrived at camp with a curve...and slider. To accompany his new arsenal of pitches, he adopted an entirely overhauled mindset.

No longer a reckless kid, Beckett finally understands what it takes to be a big league pitcher. It's there. You can see it in his eyes. Pitch and catch...nothing else.

"I was just out there trying to execute pitches until somebody takes the
ball out of my hand and the game's over," Beckett said after his masterpiece. "I
never got ahead of myself. It was always one pitch at a time. It didn't matter
what was going on. They hit some balls at some guys and I was fortunate."

Link: Gem by Beckett has Boston Pumped. Dan Shaughnessy, Boston Globe 10-4-07.