YOU REALIZE ANY ARGUMENT OVER GREATEST PLAYER EVER IS SILLY WHEN...:

Beckett remains perfect for '07 (Ian Browne, 5/02/07, MLB.com

Now that Jonathan Papelbon has a blemish on his 2007 stat sheet, Josh Beckett has taken on the role of Mr. Perfect for the Red Sox. The way he's looking at the moment, it might be a while before he relinquishes it.

Beckett has taken the ball six times this season and now has six wins next to his name. This, after mowing down the A's with a workmanlike 6-4 victory in which he allowed six hits and three runs over seven innings while walking two and striking out seven.

The last Sox pitcher before Beckett to win his first six starts in a season? Rocket Roger Clemens, back in 1991.

...you check the record book and realize that Beckett would have to win his first 8 starts to tie the Sox record and would share the mark with Babe Ruth.

N.B.: Babe shares it with Boo Ferris, who was pretty good before he got hurt, and Roger Moret, who is remembered most for lapsing into a catatonic state in the Sox clubhouse.

Posted by Orrin Judd at May 2, 2007 10:05 PM