by Mark Langill

Former Dodger pitcher Joe Beckwith, who appeared in 131 games over six seasons with Los Angeles, passed away on Friday after a battle with colon cancer. He was 66.

A second-round draft pick from Auburn University in 1977, Beckwith spent seven seasons in the Majors with the Dodgers (1979–83, 1986) and Kansas City Royals (1984–85), compiling an 18–19 record and 3.54 ERA in 229 games.

Beckwith posted a 1.96 ERA in 38 games with the Dodgers in 1980. A year later, Beckwith’s career almost ended when he suffered double vision during Spring Training. While throwing batting practice without a screen in front of the pitcher’s mound, Beckwith jerked his head away from a Jack Perconte line drive and the double vision developed. He didn’t pitch for the season and had to undergo surgery twice with only a 50–50 chance of every pitching again. The procedure to balance his vision was a success, and Beckwith resumed his career by pitching in winter ball in Puerto Rico in January 1982.

Beckwith was drafted by the Dodgers after his senior season at Auburn in which he set school records for victories (31) and innings pitched (338). The Alabama native began his Dodger career as a starter in the minor leagues, but he switched to the bullpen in 1979 after Triple-A Albuquerque manager Del Crandall suggested the quickest road to Los Angeles was as a relief pitcher. Crandall’s prediction came true when the Dodgers promoted him in August.

Although Beckwith didn’t pitch during the Dodgers’ 1981 championship season, he still appeared on the World Series highlight film, wrapping his arms around manager Tommy Lasorda and running together as they bolted from the visitor’s dugout to celebrate the Dodgers’ 9–2 clinching victory in Game 6 at Yankee Stadium.

Beckwith tasted champagne again with the 1985 Royals, but he wasn’t a spectator. During the regular season, he appeared in a career-high 49 games and went 1–5 with a 4.07 ERA. Beckwith made one appearance against the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series and pitched two scoreless innings.