On Pro Baseball
David Willis
BOSTON — While watching the Red Sox on television last season, Dontrelle Willis couldn't help but notice a change in Josh Beckett's approach.
"He seems a lot more composed on the mound," Willis said of his former teammate with the Florida Marlins. "I watch him now and maybe he will give up a hit. But now he will just relax and make the next pitch and try to get out of the jam. That makes him that much tougher and that much more efficient. "
Last season, Beckett carved out a spot in Red Sox lore by leading Boston to its second World Series in four years. He set career bests in wins (20), strikeouts (194) and ERA (3.27) and finishing second in the Cy Young voting. And Willis believed that success was, in part, due to the ultra-intense starter's maturation.
"He's better at relaxing and not getting frustrated by the situations," said Willis before his Tigers beat the Red Sox 7-2 last night. "That's a sign of intelligence as an individual and in intelligence as a ballplayer."
Willis, who Detroit acquired in a December blockbuster trade, knows firsthand about Beckett's approach to pitching. After all, the two teamed to earn a World Series ring with the Florida Marlins in 2003.
"He's a guy that loves to battle and loves to have the pressure on him," he said. "I don't even think it's pressure to him. He just has one of the best arms in baseball.
"He's always had amazing stuff. The only knock on him was the problem with blisters. But he's doing a great job of staying healthy and has made the transition (from the National League) seamlessly. Every time he has pitched in a big game for Boston, he has showed up. That's a trait you can't teach."
Beckett and Willis spent three seasons as teammates in Florida, from 2003-05, in a rotation that also featured, A.J. Burnett of the Blue Jays, Brad Penny of the Dodgers, Mark Redman of the Rockies and Carl Pavano of the Yankees.
In their first season together, Willis won 14 games and the National League Rookie of the Year award, and Beckett took the World Series MVP Award.
"He always rises to the occasion," said Willis. "That is the biggest thing he always taught me, to welcome the pressure. That's how we won the World Series. Each starter welcomed the challenge on the day of his game. Win or lose, you can't buy that experience."
The two-time National League All-Star said he learned a great deal from his time with Beckett.
"He was a great teammate," said Willis, whose best season came in 2005, when he won 22 games and recorded a 2.63 ERA.
"Everyone knows the talent that he has. But he was always willing to help the younger guys. I am thrilled that he has come over here and done a great job of adjusting (to the American League)."
A piece of Beckett's advice was especially valuable last season, when Willis struggled to a career-low 10 wins and a career-worst 5.40 ERA.
"He always told me to believe in my stuff," he said. "We are different pitchers. The way he might get someone out is different from the way I might get someone out. But it's the same method, to believe in your stuff."
Willis hopes his move to the American League will be as friendly. The 26-year-old has a 68-54 record and a 3.79 ERA in 163 career starts. In his first start this season, he recorded a no-decision against the Chicago White Sox. He went five innings, allowing three runs on one hit and seven walks.
Despite a .286 batting average and two home runs last season, the premier hitting pitcher in baseball does not miss going to the plate.
"I'm feeling great," he said. "I feel fresh and I'm hoping I can get the Tigers some wins."
Even though he has seen changes in Beckett, Willis said the core of his game remains unchanged.
"What is the same is he just attacks batters," he said. "The same as back then, he attacks each batter with his best stuff and will continue to do that."
David Willis is an Eagle-Tribune sportswriter. E-mail him at dwillis@eagletribune.com.
:::::::::::::::#
Sox Box
Score: Tigers 7, Red Sox 2
Attendance: 37,190
Offensive stars: Sean Casey (2 for 4, double, run), Manny Ramirez (2 for 4), Jose Guillen (1 for 3, HR, 3 runs)
Hero: Edgar Renteria. The shortstop was unfazed by the booing Red Sox fans and was 3 for 4 with two RBIs and two runs.
Goat: Bryan Corey. With Mike Timlin on his way back, Corey may have pitched himself out of a job. He allowed two earned runs in 1/3 of an inning last night.
Struggles continue: David Ortiz went 0 for 4. He still only has three hits ( 3 for 33, .091 average) and three RBIs for the season.
Today's matchup: Tim Wakefield (0-0, 4.50 ERA) vs. Nate Robertson (0-0, 9.00 ERA), 7:05 p.m.
Stoglin's frustrations boil over following Duke loss-2/12
Timonen "disappointed" in teammates' effort
Morganti: 'Rangers' power play demolished the Flyers'
Timonen: 'I think we got half the guys going and half the guys not'
More shootout woes in store for the Flyers when they face the Red Wings?
The Rangers have the Flyers' number
St. Joseph's vs. Massachusetts Highlights - 2/11
Penn vs. Dartmouth Highlights - 2/11
Drexel vs. Hofstra Highlights - 2/11
La Salle vs. St. Louis Highlights - 2/11
John Wall talks about the loss to the Heat-2/10
Collins takes the blame for the Sixers' final possession
Sixers vs. Clippers highlights
Sixers defensive effort not enough vs. Clippers
Post game plus crew on the Sixers loss
Rose and Zumoff recap the Sixers last second loss
Penn vs. Harvard highlights
Stefon Diggs chooses Maryland, Randy Edsall comments-2/10
Cal Ripken says the Orioles will go as far as their pitching-2/10
Sandusky makes a statement
Julien: 'did it the hard way'
McAdam's Spring Training primer
Doc: Team's effort is 'un-Celtic'
Pierce stresses mental toughness
Globe 10.0 Who was the best free agent in Boston?
Maria Menounos dons a Giants-colored bikini after losing Super Bowl bet-2/7
Thomas' moratorium: 'I'm out, peace'
Gasol: 'Not pleasant' being part of trade rumor
Blakely: Gasol-for-Rondo trade unlikely
Brady-ing is Latest Internet Meme
Globe 10.0: Is Paul Pierce the Celtics greatest scorer?
Ranking Pierce among Celtics greats
Garnett's tale of first meeting Paul Pierce
Pierce's loyalty touted after big night
Hurt Locker: Patriots react to Super Bowl loss
Brown: 'Eli Manning is better than Tom Brady'
Local fans crushed by Patriots loss in Super Bowl XLVI
Marcus Johansson Caps lone goal in loss to Bruins-2/5
Matt Hendricks throws down with the Bruins' Adam McQuaid--2/5
Vinatieri, Law, Brown recount Super Bowl XXXVI
