Baseball
World Series: Series becomes coming-out party for Beckett
By MARC TOPKIN, Times Staff Writer
Published October 26, 2003
NEW YORK - Josh Beckett seemed more interested in going deer hunting now that the season was over.
The rest of the Marlins and Yankees were impressed with how he handled the big game Saturday.
Beckett was named MVP of the World Series after his five-hit complete-game shutout, the first in a deciding game since Minnesota's Jack Morris in 1991 and the 19th overall.
"He made a name for himself," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. "He's cocky for a reason. He backed it up."
Beckett's stellar performance provided redemption for manager Jack McKeon, who was criticized for starting Beckett on three days' rest.
"This guy is special, I told you that," McKeon said. "You all questioned why I would start him on three days. I told you he's a special individual. This guy has got the guts of a burglar. He's mentally tough. And I knew he had the confidence to go out there and do the job he did tonight."
Beckett, the No. 2 pick in the 1999 draft behind Tampa Bay's Josh Hamilton, said he was more relieved than anything.
"Not to say that winning the world championship is not a big thing, but, like, we just, we don't have a game tomorrow," he said. "We played this whole season, so it's kind of a relief to go deer hunting now. Looking forward to that."
Beckett was 1-1 with a 1.10 ERA in two Series starts, 2-2, 2.11 in six postseason appearances.
HAPPY JACK: McKeon was thrilled to make his first Series appearance at age 72, even more excited that it came against the Yankees because he grew up in New Jersey and frequently came to the Stadium as a kid.
"Since I lived across the river, I wanted to have my first World Series at Yankee Stadium," he said. "They have a wonderful tradition, they always seem to be associated with the World Series, so what finer present could I have than to get the opportunity to manage my first World Series team in Yankee Stadium.
"It's like a dream come true."
FISH TALE: The Marlins won their second World Series in the first 11 years of the franchise, making them the quickest two-timers of the expansion era. ... They have two Series titles but no division championships, winning both times as a wild card. ... They have won all six of their postseason series, more than any other team.
ALL'S NOT WELLS: David Wells' back problems not only forced him to cut short his start in Game 5 on Thursday but could bring an end to his career.
Wells, 40, was hoping to pitch one more season, preferably for the Yankees who hold a $6-million option. But Cashman said Wells' condition appears similar to what he had in 2001, when he was with the White Sox and had season-ending surgery in June.
If he were to require surgery again, it would seem unlikely there would be much interest given his age and medical history.
NOW WHAT?: McKeon is not signed for next year but has hinted that he's likely to come back, especially because by winning the pennant he'll get to manage the NL All-Star team in July.
Before Saturday's game, he was asked how long he hoped to manage.
"I don't know," he said. "I told ownership that we would talk about that at the end of the year. Let me put it this way, as nice as I can: I like what I am doing. Casey Stengel went to 75, so if I decide to stay, I got two more years to go. I don't think I can catch Connie Mack. I don't think I want to."
Mack managed until he was 88.
MISCELLANY: Ivan Rodriguez hit in 16 of Florida's 17 postseason games. ... Derek Jeter's sixth-inning error was his first in Series play since Oct. 24, 1996, snapping a 26 Series game errorless streak. ... Saturday's game was the 100th Series game played at Yankee Stadium; the Yankees are 64-36. ... New York's Andy Pettitte made his 10th Series start, tying for fourth all-time.
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