LOOKIN' TO GET DUFFYED?:

Beckett turns up volume -- Hurler fires words, Ks (Jeff Horrigan, March 27, 2006, Boston Herald)

The Red Sox were hoping to get a younger version of Curt Schilling when they acquired Josh Beckett from the Florida Marlins, and yesterday Beckett gave a strong indication that he is every bit as intense as his new mentor.

The 25-year-old right-hander showed that he is not one to be messed with by nearly sparking a brawl with Ryan Howard when he mouthed off to the mammoth Philadelphia Phillies slugger and accused Howard of hot-dogging after hitting a deep fly ball to center field in the sixth inning of the Sox’ 3-2 win at Brighthouse Networks Field. [...]

“It’s not like I wanted to fight the guy. I just wanted to make the point that you look like a jackass whenever you hit a ball like that and you’re pimping it and you’re out. " [...]

With Beckett still chirping, Howard walked toward the dugout, finally throwing his glove down to prepare for a fight. Beckett attempted to ascend the stairs to meet him, only to be intercepted by teammates as a scrum formed in foul territory and bullpens emptied. Rudy Seanez, who participates in ultimate fighting during the offseason, led the relievers’ charge.

“I told him he was a little slow,” Francona said of Seanez’ arrival.