July 11, 200323 yr He has a minor Blister but it could get bigger but the Marlins said its no BIG deal.......also Wilis was voted 1st by the fans i who will they miss most in the All Star Game and pudge was 3rd. Beckett's blister 'no big deal' By Tom D'Angelo, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Friday, July 11, 2003 MONTREAL -- Pitcher Josh Beckett has developed a minor blister in the same spot as last season, but neither Beckett nor the Marlins are concerned. "It's no big deal,'' Beckett said of the red spot on the tip of his right middle finger. The blister may have played a part in the Marlins' decision to push Dontrelle Willis ahead of the right-handed Beckett on Sunday, the team's final game of the three-game series in Montreal and final game before the All-Star break. Beckett was unaware of the decision when he was approached Wednesday, but said he understood. Beckett said on Thursday that he could start Sunday but would be willing to pitch out of the bullpen if asked. Beckett likened the blister to the one Mark Redman developed recently after a start. By the fifth day, it had healed. Manager Jack McKeon said Wednesday the move was made because Willis is 8-1, it allowed Willis to stay on his regular schedule because of Thursday's off day and Beckett could use the extra rest because he's "coming off rehab.'' Beckett missed seven weeks because of a right elbow strain but said his elbow is fine. Beckett (3-4) was on the disabled list three times last season because of the blister. He admitted he was not forthcoming with the blister following his start on Monday, in which he allowed 10 hits and six runs in six innings. General Manager Admin Beinfest learned about the injury through trainer Sean Cunningham. "This is not a situation like last season,'' a team official said. "There is nothing to be alarmed about.'' Gold Glove material: Center fielder Juan Pierre has made spectacular catches in the past two weeks in Boston, Philadelphia and Chicago, all three likely meaning the difference between victory and defeat. "He's one of the outstanding center fielders in the league,'' McKeon said. "He gets a big jump on the ball.'' McKeon is not surprised, considering Pierre's work ethic. Pierre is among the earliest to arrive at the park every day. He sat in the dugout during Tuesday's entire rain delay in Chicago and was the first player on the field when the rain subsided. "This guys works at his craft,'' McKeon said. "And he's the one guy who beats me to the ballpark.'' Windy City Willis: A Chicago Tribune poll that asked, "Which player will you miss most at Tuesday's All-Star Game?", resulted in 52 percent of the 787 votes going to Willis. Yankees pitcher Roger Clemens was second with 17 percent. Marlins catcher Ivan Rodriguez was sixth with 3 percent. Link
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