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So much for the notion that Jon Lester [stats] always followsJosh Beckett [stats]’s lead.
That may have been the case once, when Beckett was the playoff-tested workhorse held up as a shining example for each fledgling Red Sox [team stats]pitcher. But Lester didn’t take any cues from Beckett yesterday, as both met the media to discuss their involvement in the beer-and-chicken flap that has come to symbolize the team’s epic collapse last season.
Lester gave thoughtful and expansive answers, expressing regrets that lingered long into the offseason and pledging to be a “better teammate” and a stronger leader. He claimed “complete responsibility,” both for his 8.24 ERA in his final four starts and for his behavior in the clubhouse during games.
Beckett? In a separate media session, he came off more defiant than contrite.
While Lester appeared to be speaking from the heart, Beckett blurted out mostly curt sound bites. The right-hander from deep in the heart of Texas admitted to making mistakes during the season but didn’t offer any specificity, saying only he had “lapses in judgment” and “got distracted.” Beckett denied suggestions that he fell out of shape, and if he felt bad about several members of the medical and training staffs losing their jobs, he didn’t reveal it.
For a Red Sox fan base expecting an explanation, if not an outright apology, Beckett provided neither. If anything, he appeared less bothered by what happened than the fact it became public.
Herald:Lester is regretful, Beckett is resentful
It only took an entire offseason but both Jon Lester and Josh Beckett apologized for their part of the September collapse. Lester came out and just fell on the sword for all that took place on and off the field and usedit some key phrases like "being a better teammate" and taking "complete responsiblity". That's a start for Lester to get back in the good graces of the fans and the media that we're disgusted with the chicken and beet fiasco.
As for Beckett....Well at least he apologized. He seems a little ticked off that everything came out the way it did. The more important thing is that he took his responsibility in the more important part, which is lack of execution on the field. He sucked against the Orioles when the Sox needed him the most and he admitted that.
Beckett has always come across as an a-hole and everyone loved that about him when he was dominant. It's not the apology everyone wanted, but it's as much as anyone is going to get from him about what took place in September. So let's just move on and forget about last season.
Globe:It's at least a start for Beckett|Valentine happy to be on job|Leadership now part of the game for Lester|Aviles returns to shortstop|Herald:Beckett comes up lame|Lester now Sox main act|Iglesias may hit short list|Bobby V puts team in sunshine state|CSNNE:Varitek will be missed|Beckett, Lester admit faults|Sox answer for 2011 collapse|WEEI:Actions, not words will define Beckett
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