This is no small bit of news, for Beckett is the biggest weapon that separates the Sox from the pack.
If there's a "filthy" pie chart for elite American League pitchers, Beckett gets the biggest slice. The only one who comes close is Halladay, who is a horse, of course, but hasn't been in position to pitch a big postseason game.
Yankee Chien-Ming Wang can win 19 games every season until the cows come home, and he won't be Beckett's equal.
C.C. Sabathia edged Beckett for the Cy Young Award last season but showed in the postseason that he is not in Beckett's league.
Tigers ace Justin Verlander, like Halladay, has the dynamic stuff to threaten Beckett's status, but until he does it, he must be considered a lesser.
The Angels have a deep staff, but nobody who can stay with Beckett, even the currently injured John Lackey.
With Johan Santana traded to the Mets, the Twins are void of such a pitcher, though Livan Hernandez has pitched big games in the past.
Scott Kazmir and James Shields are nowhere near that level in Tampa Bay.
Erik Bedard and Felix Hernandez are emerging in Seattle but are well below Beckett's status.
The White Sox' Mark Buehrle has won two games in the postseason but hasn't reached Beckett's level.
You can then start on the other league. In his heyday, Pedro Martínez was that guy (and maybe there's more to come). Santana, Jake Peavy, Brandon Webb, a healthy Randy Johnson, John Smoltz, Tom Glavine, and Roy Oswalt all pitch with guts.
When you have a guy like this - a Dave Stewart/Jack Morris type - you make sure you handle him with care. And that's what the Sox have done.
They understand that 17-hour plane rides in March can be avoided. They know that Beckett didn't have to start Game 1 or Game 3 or Game 4, for that matter. The Red Sox did a good job holding Beckett back and making sure he followed doctor's orders, which is not easy for someone so competitive. Beckett seemed to get the hint that he wasn't going to rejoin the team until he got his work in.
"It's going to be great to get him back here with the rest of the guys," said Francona. "I think he's missed being around and the guys have missed having him around.
