Beckett Joins Pantheon of Big Game Boston Stars

It's official, Josh Beckett is a true ace. The 20 wins in the regular season were one thing but his brilliance, his sheer dominance in the playoffs has elevated him to a level rarely seen in sports. When the games matter most come October, Beckett rises above the garbage and filth of his competition. C.C. Sabathia, who he has defeated in both Game One and Game Five, is considered the fromt runner for the 2007 A.L. Cy Young award but you just know that Eric Wedge would have cut his left nut off to run Beckett out their tonight instead of Sabathia. Beckett went eight strong innings tonight, striking out 11 and more importantly, he breathed life into a dying Red Sox team. No one gave them a chance after the way they played in Games Two through Five (including me) but now they go back to Fenway Park with momentum on their side. All thanks to Josh Beckett. At one point, Indians 107-year-old centerfielder Kenny Lofton tried to goad Beckett into a confrontation after the two excanged some heated words. It was a veteran move by Lofton to get Beckett derailed but the hard tossin' righty didn't flinch. He kept his focus and kept on dealing. We have been blessed in this city over the years. Names like Bill Russell, Bobby Orr, Dave Cowens, Larry Bird, Tom Brady, David Ortiz, Adam Vinatieri and Curt Schilling mean so much more to a Boston fan because they delivered when it mattered most -- when championships were decided. Beckett is now officially a member of that club. We have another member of that club pitching on Saturday night. Things in Boston are looking really, really good right now.