Former Auburn baseball great Joe Beckwith passes away at 66
Auburn baseball has lost a legend.
On Saturday, the athletic department announced the death of Joe Beckwith, a former Auburn pitcher and two-time World Series winner. He was 66.
“Auburn University, Auburn baseball and the Auburn community lost a legend in Joe Beckwith,” head coach Butch Thompson said. “I’m so thankful for his contributions through the years. He has represented us so well. I’m thankful to Auburn and our athletics department for recognizing Joe and his family a few weeks ago at Plainsman Park.
“I’ll never forget his friendship and how he stayed connected and continued to root for his alma mater and for this baseball team,” Thompson added. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Joe and his family during this time.”
Beckwith played for the Tigers from 1974-77 where he was a four-year letter winner. He still holds the program record for career complete games (20) and ranks third in career ERA (1.92) and fourth in wins (31.) He was key member of the Auburn team that reached the College World Series in 1976.
Drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the second round of the 1977 MLB draft, Beckwitch won a World Series with the Dodgers in 1981 and then with the Kansas City Royals in 1985.
