AUBURN, Ala. – While fans and family members applauded as Joe Beckwith exited Hitchcock Field on a golf cart, players in Auburn's dugout tipped their cap in tribute on Joe Beckwith Day at Plainsman Park.
"It makes me feel great," said Beckwith, whose 31 career victories from 1974-77 rank No. 4 in program history. "I'm honored that Auburn University would do this, knowing that I grew up here in Auburn, went to high school here and played college baseball at Auburn, it just means even more. This day today tops it off."Hat tip: Auburn baseball players honor former TIger Joe BeckwithBeckwith, Auburn's all-time leader in complete games, pitched on Auburn's 1976 College World Series and won Major League Baseball World Series with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1981 and Kansas City Royals in 1985.
"These are some of the best memories of my life," he said. "People have asked me, 'If you could go back in time, what would you do?' I said my four years at Auburn would be the biggest thing I could do."
Before he pitched for the Tigers, Beckwith served as Auburn's bat boy in the 1960s. His dad, Bill Beckwith, worked for Auburn for more than 40 years in public relations and ticket sales.
"He started raising money and they put the lights in, I think that was in '76. Then they built the concrete dugouts," recalled Beckwith, who pitched in the first night game at Plainsman Park. "I would love to pitch in this stadium right now."
Wearing his Royals World Series ring, Beckwith remembered looking up in the stands to see his dad before facing St. Louis in the '85 Fall Classic.
"I said to myself, 'Dad, this is what we came for,'" Beckwith said. "Then I threw the first pitch and Tommy Herr hit it off the right field wall for a double. That got my senses back together a little bit to bear down, and got the next six guys out, didn't give up any runs. That moment was tremendous for me."
Addressing the fans while wearing the No. 21 Auburn jersey he wore nearly a half-century ago, Beckwith expressed his appreciation for their affirmation and attendance.
"I love Auburn more than anything," he said over the public address mic. "Always have and always will. War Eagle!"
Beckwith, who was diagnosed with colon cancer two and a half years ago, says he draws strength from his faith, family and friends.
"It's a little bit rougher than what it's been," he said. "I'm just fighting. I've got faith. The Lord has taken care of me, and I've got friends who are there. The main thing is I'm going to believe that the Lord is working His ways. We're all together in this."
"These are some of the best memories of my life."
— Jeff Shearer (@jeff_shearer) April 24, 2021
🗣Joe Beckwith
It's "Joe Beckwith Day" at @AuburnBaseball.
Played on AU's '76 CWS team & won two @MLB World Series.
"If you could go back in time, what would you do? I said, 'My four years at Auburn.'"
📷: @shannalo pic.twitter.com/F4xaRstEXs
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer