Beckett's experience in last night's 5-4 loss to the Orioles was no different from what Roy Halladay has been going through in Toronto.

These guys are ultracompetitive, and when they don't end losing streaks, when they fail to protect a 3-0 lead as Beckett did last night, it's incredibly disappointing.

Beckett has proven beyond a reasonable doubt that he's one of the great money pitchers in the game. He has that surliness about him that extends to the mound and is behind every pitch he throws. It's the same kind of mean streak Bob Gibson used to have. The same nastiness Jack Morris pitched with. In fact, Morris, now a Twins broadcaster, said how much he enjoys watching Beckett because he pitches with so much spirit and emotion and confidence.