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No Joshing: Righty, Shea assume war of words
By John Tomase
American League hitters have been warned: offend Josh Beckett and hear about it, as Shea Hillenbrand learned yesterday.
Beckett took offense to Hillenbrand assuming a walk on a borderline pitch in the first inning yesterday. After the Red Sox’ 5-3 victory he criticized the fiery former Sox third baseman, who blasted Beckett in response.
“I didn’t like that he thought that was ball four on the 3-1 pitch,” Beckett said. “I’m kind of about playing the game right. I didn’t really appreciate that that much.”
Apprised of Beckett’s comments in the Blue Jays clubhouse, Hillenbrand fumed.
“Not playing the game right?” Hillenbrand said. “Why? Because I thought the pitch was a ball? He doesn’t know what the (expletive) he’s talking about. I don’t give a (expletive) what Beckett thinks. I’m out there competing. I don’t care what he thinks. Doesn’t faze me.”
The pitch in question came during an inning in which Beckett struggled mightily with his control. He had already walked in a run and the bases were loaded with one out when he threw a fastball over the outside corner.
Hillenbrand froze, then started toward first when home plate umpire Jerry Layne didn’t immediately signal a strike.
“I didn’t really even see the pitch,” Hillenbrand said. “I thought it was a ball because the ump didn’t say anything. It was a very delayed call. I’m going on the umpire.
“How many walks do I have?” he added. “Zero. You think I’m out there trying to walk? I’d rather hit.”
Hillenbrand bounced into a double play on the next pitch, and Beckett didn’t allow a run the rest of the game.
“I took the wind right out of our sails,” Hillenbrand said.
Beckett has a reputation of possessing a short fuse, as he proved in spring training when he nearly caused a brawl vs. the Phillies after a Ryan Howard deep fly to center that Beckett felt the young hitter admired for too long.
Hillenbrand said pitching coach Brad Arnsberg, Beckett’s former mentor in Florida, reminded the Jays hitters of Beckett’s competitive nature, presumably mentioning his excitability on the mound.
“Our pitching coach had him, said some stuff about him,” Hillenbrand said. “I know what he’s about. That stuff’s in-house, but he gave us some history, especially after (the Howard incident) happened.”
Beckett admitted he may have overreacted, though he didn’t appear to say anything to Hillenbrand at the time. Hillenbrand said he didn’t even know Beckett was upset until teammates mentioned it after the game.
“I was mad at myself and probably let my emotions get the best of me,” Beckett said.
Hillenbrand, who prided himself on playing hard with the Red Sox, dismissed Beckett’s broadside.
“I’m going to make my living regardless of what he says or does,” Hillenbrand said. “I’m just trying to win a ballgame. I’ve never even met the guy. If he’s going to do that, he’s just making himself look bad.”
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