Beckett talks Sept. collapse, Valentine

GOT HEEEEMORRHAGING

Speaking for the first time this offseason publicly, Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett touched on his view of the team’s September collapse, as well as his New Year’s Day meeting with new manager Bobby Valentine, while appearing on the MLB Network’s “Intentional Talk” show.

Regarding the controversy that surrounded the Red Sox’ demise in September, during which the team’s starters went 4-13 with a 7.08 ERA, Beckett explained that the bottom line was that the Sox didn’t perform and everything else should have been kept in-house.

“I think the biggest key is what [Jon] Lester said to the end that, we stunk on the field and that was the bottom line,” he told the show. “If we would have pitched better, none of that stuff would have even been an issue. And it shouldn’t be an issue anyway because what goes on in the clubhouse should stay in the clubhouse. I don’t care who says that or whatever, I’m not saying we don’t make mistakes in the clubhouse [show host and former Red Sox player Kevin Millar] will definitely respond to that because, hell, they were drinking Jack Daniels and they won the World Series [in 2004]. It’s just what goes on in the clubhouse, it’s supposed to stay in the clubhouse.”

...As for the pitcher’s well-publicized meeting with Valentine—who had insinuated that Beckett was “pissed” regarding comments the former ESPN analyst made regarding the righty’s deliberate pace—Beckett said the get-together went off without a hitch.