Josh Beckett hammered, booed off field at Fenway after golf uproar

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Josh Beckett wipes his head in the dugout after being taken out in the third inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Indians in Boston, May 10, 2012. / AP Photo/Michael Dwyer

(AP) BOSTON - Josh Beckett must have lasted longer on the golf course than he did on the mound.

The embattled Red Sox ace was booed off the field at Fenway Park when he was pulled after just 2 1-3 ineffective innings Thursday night against Cleveland.

Hours earlier, Boston manager Bobby Valentine downplayed the uproar over Beckett's golf outing last week, which came a day after he was scratched from his scheduled start because of stiffness.

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Week in sports: May 4-10

Already in hot water with Red Sox fans when the story surfaced that Beckett was hitting the links with his sore lat, Beckett was jeered early and often Thursday as the Indians tagged him for seven runs and seven hits, including two homers, while building a 7-1 lead.

One fan yelled "FORE!" when Michael Brantley lined a foul ball down the right-field line, but all the chuckles quickly subsided when Brantley doubled to left-center. It was the second straight double for the Indians, ending Beckett's night.

Fans cheered when Valentine came out of the dugout and immediately signaled to the bullpen for lefty Andrew Miller.

Beckett's off-the-field decisions and commitment to the team have come into question before.

After last season, it was revealed that he was among a group of pitchers who ate fried chicken and drank beer in the clubhouse during games on days they didn't pitch.

It is common for players to golf during the season, but typically not when recovering from an injury.

Valentine said before the game that Beckett was scratched from a start last week with stiffness, which he didn't think would be made worse by golfing. Had Beckett been sidelined with an injury, Valentine might have felt differently.

"I didn't think he was injured when he was skipped," Valentine said.

Fans haven't been so forgiving since the story surfaced earlier this week. The Red Sox were off to a 12-18 start and were last in the AL East going into Thursday night's game.

Beckett entered 2-3 with a 4.45 ERA in five starts.

Valentine, speaking before the Red Sox opened a homestand against the Indians, said he understands why fans were outraged that Beckett was golfing instead of resting for his return to the rotation.

"I understand the frustration for sure," he said. "I understand the desire for excellence. I have the same frustration and anger at myself for not meeting the standard."

A sour mood in Boston still lingers over the team's record collapse at the end of last season, when the Red Sox slumped through September and were knocked out of playoff contention in the final game.

"I was told there was a lot of negative feelings about last year. The first month of play, we haven't done anything to erase those feelings," Valentine said. "We have to play better and I think it will get better."

As for Beckett, a few good outings would probably restore a positive outlook among the fans who are angered by his golf outing. A few bad starts, however, and the pressure on him is only going to increase.

[dman6015]

I smell a trade coming very soon!

[dalempate]

How dumb can a human being be. Couldn't he find a golf course where he wouldn't be discovered?

He deserves to get booed for being so stupid.

Booby Valintine's days are numbered there.

[ramscardsguy]

Beckett is the perfect example of a Pampered, Arrogant, Out of touch professional athlete talking when he should just concentrate on his 30 starts a year. If you cannot focus on those few starts and be ready to do your job you need to retire and move to Florida, drive slow and **** off the natives.

[Bugtooth]

Fried chicken and beer on your day off, thats horrible.

[dalempate]

What's wrong with a little KFC on your day off?

[Aceduece]

I have absolutely no sympathy for professional players who get booed by the fans when they don't play up to their potential. They are well paid and should produce......Plus they certainly want to recognized with cheers and praise when they are on top of their game so turn around is fair play.

[walkerrussellc]

Josh Beckett had every right in the world to go golfing but, it was a classless thing to actually do it. When you call in sick or go for light duty in most jobs or even kids who don't feel well enough to go to school in the AM - you don't go out to golf or play with your friends out of respect if nothing else for your employer or parents/teachers. Josh has a really poor attitude and many well paid players don't think they owe anything to anyone. Well, technically no but, when all the beans are counted the fans and the public do actually employ the boys of spring/summer. The appreciation shown by most players is nice to watch but some forget that the millions they are paid while they are at their peak to play a game come from the butts in the stands and the fans in front of the tubes and screens. Booing young Mr. Beckett might just not be enough - maybe we could trade him for someone with as much or more skill and less attitude? Grow up men; appreciate what you have for gifts and what you get for pay as it doesn't last long.

[Justme8811]

It's fraud, simple as that...

[nancy10272004]

Walker, I agree with all of what you wrote except for one thing. He is not "young" Mr. Beckett. He is 31 and has been a professional baseball player for over a decade.

He should be a team leader and Lord knows we need one now but he's too selfish to step up into that role.

It's been nice knowing you, Josh. Well, it's been nice for the two seasons you actually performed up to your supposed potential.