Possessed!
July 22nd, 2016
Buster Posey who?
Tim Beckham continued his tear yesterday, cranking out two hits with one home run in the Rays’ 7-3 road victory in Oakland. He even played first base for the first time as a major leaguer after Logan Morrison was out with a right forearm injury and Steve Pearce enjoyed a rather mysterious day off.
So to recap, Beckham is 7-for-9 with three RBIs and one home run in the past two days, and he tied a Rays record for eight hits in eight consecutive at bats. Usually, he serves as a popular pin cushion for those who rue the day the Rays took him first overall instead of Posey in the 2008 MLB draft. Joe bets Beckham has enjoyed this mini-victory lap as a breather from the fire-breathing critics.
Still, the spurt doesn’t change the reality that Beckham is a big disappointment. It’s unfortunate for him that he’s constantly compared to Posey, a four-time All-Star. But when you’re the first overall selection, sharp arrows come with the territory.
Baseball is a different beast, but imagine a similar scenario playing out with a top NFL draft pick. Beckham would have been toasted faster than a marshmallow on fire.
Joe is happy to see Beckham doing well. But where the heck has this been?
July 22nd, 2016 at 2:57 pm
“Steve Pearce enjoyed a mysterious day off” I believe what’s mysterious is what teams is going to ante up for him. He’s good as gone. We only had him for 1 year so, it’s better to get someone for him. He’s a valuable commodity for a team that can pay him. As far as Beckham is concerned, keep riding him while he’s hot. These streaks don’t come along very often. Especially for him.
July 22nd, 2016 at 3:04 pm
Dave – You mentioned that the Rays went cheap when they picked Beckham over Posey. Buster Posey was represented that year by Scott Boras. The Rays weak management wanted no part of negotiating with that shark. Therefore, they took the lesser player. Good call.
July 22nd, 2016 at 4:15 pm
Still a terrible no matter who Buster Posey agent is. Tim Beckham is a bust! If he was on any other team he would never see the field and in any other sport a first pick in the first round as disappointing as Beckham would have been out of the sport by now. Still a terrible pick that haunts the Rays! But ride the hitting streak, it’s his highlight of his crap career
July 22nd, 2016 at 4:15 pm
Terrible Pick*
July 23rd, 2016 at 5:22 am
True Darth, Boras is a monster who should be avoided at all costs. However, I would still like to have Eric Hosmer batting behind Longo in the order right now and that is one guy the Rays missed on as well! Beckham may not have been the worst first round pick by the Rays as several others did not pan out as three pitchers by the names of Brazelton, Niemann and Townsend might have won 10 games for the MLB rays between them. At least Timmy had one good evening just like Brazelton did when he carried a no no into the 8th once upon a time vs the Mets of all teams if I recall. I guess even busts have a night to remember! Hopefully Timmy does turn the corner though but I have top say that you are probably right in that the guy is a major BUST!
July 25th, 2016 at 12:24 am
We lost again… and again……and again. Not hitting. Make em use the “bottle” bat ! It worked for Hall of Famer, Nellie Fox. He used to chew tobacca. Owned a bowling alley. Died of (oral) mouth cancer 10 years later. Just saying.
July 25th, 2016 at 2:17 pm
One of the problems with the Rays, they can’t own up to there mistakes. They need to own up to bad decisions they make. Beckham’s not the only one. Cash, Dickerson, Morrison, Conger. Sometimes I think the FO tells Cash who to play. They keep swish Souza in the lineup & put Guyer on the bench. IMO Guyer is there best all around of. And for God’s sake please get a front line catcher & get that monkey off your back. Lucroy would look pretty good in a Rays uni.