Josh Beckett‘s sore noggin denied all of us spring’s first dramatic moment. A Josh Beckett vs Cole Hamels face off would have been a venue worth watching.
Both pitchers have been following similar paths since leading their respective teams to a World Championship. Beckett has been battling health problems since 2007 and has never regained his dominant form. Cole Hamels, after a stellar post season in 2008 and leading the Philadelphia Phillies to a long awaited World Championship, hasn’t exactly lit the world on fire the past couple of years. Both of them no longer the ace on their respective teams, but nonetheless having high expectations for 2011.
The Beckett-less Sox were man handled by the Phillies Hamels. Cole pitched four innings of one hit scoreless supremacy. This while Beckett was waiting to get full clearance to resume baseball activities. What a shame and I hate to say it,  not surprised. I can’t get that upset with Josh over this one.  I can’t imagine getting hit in the head from a line drive can feel too good. Is it just me our does everyone think Beckett has transformed into a fragile china doll, a JD Drew of pitching? When I first heard that he had a mild concussion, my first thought was of Justin Morneau, a concussion that keeps on giving.  Josh has been cleared medically and will throw a simulated game on Friday. I will believe it when i see it.
But for today, Hamels looks sharp with Beckett having a sharp headache. Something tells me that this wont be the last time we see Hamels. In October maybe?
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