Even more than what they owed Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford, the Red Sox were overjoyed to escape the final two years of Josh Beckett’s contract, which will pay him $15.75 million a season in 2013 and 2014.

It was as if the Los Angeles Dodgers handed the Red Sox a lottery ticket, taking on the embattled and apathetic pitcher’s remaining bounty.

Though the 32-year-old Beckett was a prominent reason why the Red Sox won the 2007 World Series, he had worn out his welcome in Boston and needed to go. Because of his on-the-diamond performance and off-the-mound actions, he had grown extremely disliked in Boston.

As unpopular as Beckett became, it is a toss up if he was more disliked than most members of the Boston sports media. You can count the credible and respectable baseball reporters on one hand. There is Alex Speier of WEEI.com, Ian Browne of MLB.com, Lou Merloni of WEEI and…..well, that’s it. The rest are blowhards and hacks who frequently create stories that are not there and sensationalize existing stories, not telling the full picture and failing to present both sides. That shows a lack of professionalism and is best suited for tabloids like the New York Post and the National Enquirer.

T.J. Simers of the Los Angeles Times would fit in nicely as a sports columnist in Boston. Instead, he spreads his load of horse manure throughout southern California. Simers and Beckett, two men who frequently lack professionalism, contributed a memorable exchange last night after Beckett’s Dodgers’ debut that saw him allow three runs over 5.2 innings against the Rockies, including a solo home run by Tyler Colvin on the second pitch he delivered in Dodger blue.

According to WEEI.com, the post-game interview proceeded like this:

Did you ever think the ball would ever come down that first batter you faced?

“I figured it would eventually. Yeah, I figured it would.”

What did you think at that moment, Dodgers debut, second pitch and …

“I thought I made a pretty [expletive] pitch. That’s what I was thinking.”

That’s your choice of words?

“Sure.”

Were you nervous?

“No more than normal. I’m always nervous on start day.”

With rookies shouldn’t it be easier to pitch against them?

“If you make pitches, yeah.”

After giving up so many runs in the last three games did you feel like this was progress?

“I felt like I made some pitches when I needed to and didn’t make some when I needed to.”

How’s that different than normal?

“You try and make the majority of them.”

I don’t understand your answer to my question. How’s that different from how you normally pitch?

“You’re going to have four or five pitches every game that you have to make and if you make the majority of them you usually pitch good.”

So four or five pitches every start, swings on those four or five pitches, is that what you’re saying?

“No, you’re going to have situations where you have to make those pitches.”

So we’re talking triple and you have to make pitches to the next hitter at that point?

“No, I was talking about actually two of the pitches in that last inning, the same ones I keep referring to.”

What about that guy after the triple?

“I was trying to throw a fastball in and I didn’t get it in that far. That was one of the pitches.”

I’m trying to understand your mindset as you’re out there, a new Dodger, and the guy kills the ball off you like that.

“It happens. It’s the big leagues.”

Yeah, but it’s not supposed to. This is the Rockies and you’re supposed to be a dynamo. It’s not supposed to start like that.

“No, it’s not. I didn’t draw it up that way. It just happened. I had it going differently in my head.”

Did you? How did you have it happen?

“A weak ground ball would have been nice.”

So when the ball is leaving the park as quickly as it did, did you …

“Oh, he hit it too high. It didn’t even leave that fast.”

That’s true. Good point. He killed that ball.

“Absolutely.”

That didn’t do anything to you?

“No.”

What did you learn about this team today, besides the fact they can’t score?

“They can score. I’ve seen them score. Since I’ve been here they’ve scored.”

Two runs?

“No. How about the day before that? That’s 10 runs in three days. That’s not too bad.”

Against the Marlins and Rockies?

“Sure. It’s the big leagues. That’s what happens in the big leagues. I have to pitch better.”

Do you feel like this can be your type of team?

“I’ve been here for two days, I can’t answer that. I’m very happy to be here.”

Are you on your best behavior now?

“No.”

This is what we’re always going to get?

“Probably.”

So I can play this tape to you over again and again over the course of time?

“Sure.”

And it will still work?

“You bet.”

That’s a promise?

“I don’t promise anything.”

Then my tape is no good then.

“I can’t believe you’re using that tape [recorder] anyway.”

I’m 61 years old, that’s the only tape I know how to use. I never figured out those [digital recorders]. You promised me if I didn’t win the game it would be a better column that it would be a better column and how I’m struggling a little bit. Shouldn’t you pick up a chair and throw it or something or do something? Because these guys have filled me in what you were like in Boston.

“Yeah, I threw a lot of chairs at them.”

You know that you are an unprofessional hack when your interview skills are so lacking in professionalism that you make Beckett appear to be the better person. Of course, Beckett’s post-game comments are more of the same from this season in Boston – excuses about why balls were knocked around and why his team was pounded (Colorado won, 10-0).

Simers need not worry though. If the Los Angeles Times ever gets tired of his act, there will be a spot awaiting at the Boston Globe or Boston Herald.