Today In Dodgers History: Josh Beckett Throws First Career No-Hitter

Coming to Los Angeles from the Boston Red Sox in the 2012 trade, Josh Beckett struggled to make the impact expected and with a large salary, was widely viewed as a player with a bad contract.

Beckett underwent season-ending surgery in 2013 and made a steady return last season. On May 25, 2014, he made history by throwing the first no-hitter of his career, first by a Dodger since 1996 and the 24th in franchise history (Clatyon Kershaw added the 25th soon after).

It took Beckett 128 pitches and some convincing of Dodgers manager Don Mattingly to allow him to remain in the game as his pitch count continued to soar. Additionally, Beckett later said he didn’t subscribe to the superstition of not talking about a no-hitter. The veteran right-hander instead openly discussed it from the fourth inning on.

Time Warner Cable SportsNet LA cameras even caught Beckett enjoying a conversation with a police officer in the Dodgers dugout. While he relied on breaking balls throughout the game, which was a newfound strategy for him, Beckett recorded the final out by freezing Chase Utley with a fastball on a full count.

Beckett finished 6-6 with a 2.88 ERA over 20 starts last season, and 8-14 with a 3.39 ERA in 35 starts during his time with the Dodgers.