MIAMI — Not too long after being selected as the second-overall pick in the 1999 Draft, Josh Beckett publicly stated he wanted to make an All-Star team in two or three years.
Needless to say, when it came time for a 19-year-old Beckett to visit the Marlins’ clubhouse as part of his introduction to the organization, it wasn’t easily forgotten by members of the big league club.
“Some of the veterans didn’t take too kindly, and they were a little outspoken,” recalled Mike Lowell, who was a rookie that season. “But you know what? He took it like, ‘I’m standing by what I said,’ and I think it kind of personifies his attitude when it was his turn to take the ball, which I think is pretty neat. I don’t think the moment ever got too big for him.”
Four years later, that bravado helped Beckett deliver a shutout in Game 6 of the 2003 World Series to clinch the franchise’s second championship. In a true matchup of David vs. Goliath, Beckett’s shutout — the most recent in a Fall Classic clincher — came against the Bronx Bombers at the old Yankee Stadium.
Because of that memorable postseason run as part of a five-year tenure with the Marlins, Beckett became the first pitcher inducted into the Marlins Legends Hall of Fame on Sunday afternoon at loanDepot park.
“I think the only time I thought I’d ever get in the Hall of Fame was if I broke in,” Beckett joked. “It’s nice to be recognized. I feel like this place is really special for me. I was drafted here. This is where I kind of cut my teeth. We were fortunate enough to win a World Series. They built a really good team in 2003. We had good teams other years, too. Things’ve got to work out just perfect. I think that’s one thing we’ve learned about baseball is sometimes it’s not the best team that wins. It’s the team that gets hot at the right time and all that.”
There was a mini-2003 reunion with former front-office members Michael Hill and David Samson, second baseman Luis Castillo, shortstop Alex Gonzalez, third baseman Mike Lowell and left-hander Michael Tejera before the 2026 Marlins wore throwback teal for a 10-3 victory over the Cubs on Sunday at loanDepot park. Charles Johnson, who was teammates with Beckett from 2001-02 during his first two Major League seasons, was also part of the festivities.
Lowell presented Beckett with his teal Marlins Hall of Fame jacket, which both Jeff Conine and Castillo were wearing as members of the inaugural 2025 class. It made sense for Lowell to be the one to do so. Both he and Beckett were part of the same 2005 Thanksgiving trade to the Red Sox. According to Elias Sports Bureau, by going on to win the 2007 World Series with Boston, they are the only pair of teammates to not only win the title with two separate clubs but to also each be named the World Series MVP.
That’s because despite all of the hype, Beckett battled injuries, especially blisters, during the early part of his career. Beckett hinted that Sunday might not be the last we see of him, as he hoped to impart wisdom on the current generation.
“I’d love to come to Spring Training and just be a part of whatever they’re doing and help out however I can,” Beckett said. “I’m not sure I can. I mean, baseball’s changed so much. Maybe guys are struggling and need to figure out how to get out of that struggle or something because we all do it. This game’s really tough when you get to this level.”
The power pitcher from Texas finally lived up to his potential in the 2003 postseason.
In the National League Championship Series, Beckett staved off elimination in Game 5 with 11 strikeouts in a shutout. Three days later, he tossed four innings of relief to pick up the hold in Game 7 at Wrigley Field. Beckett’s heroics reached a crescendo when he famously pitched on three days’ rest to shut down the Yankees and capture World Series MVP.
“The one thing that was undebatable was just the talent, and from the second he got to the big leagues, you’re talking about three above-average pitches: fastball, a curveball and a changeup, and really, it was just a matter of keeping him on the field, keeping him healthy,” said Hill, whose Devil Rays chose Josh Hamilton No. 1 overall instead of Beckett in the 1999 Draft before he joined the Marlins.
“A special arm, fierce competitor, and once you gave him the ball, you knew you were going to have to fight him and get it out of his hands. And luckily, we never had to because when he started, he finished, and in a lot of big games for us.”