Thomas Joseph Beckwith (January 28, 1955May 22, 2021) was an American baseball pitcher who played seven seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). He played for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Kansas City Royals from 1979 to 1986. He threw right-handed and served primarily as a relief pitcher. Beckwith was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1977 and played for two of their minor league affiliates until 1979, when the Dodgers promoted him to the major leagues. After spending three more seasons with the organization, he was traded to Kansas City. The Royals won the World Series in 1985, and he was released before the start of the following season. He returned to the Dodgers in 1986 and played his last game on September 30 that year. Early life Beckwith was born in Opelika, Alabama, on January 28, 1955. His father, Bill, worked at the Auburn University in public relations and as director of ticket sales over four decades; his mother was Marjorie. He was raised in Auburn, Alabama, and attended Auburn High School, where he played for the school team, and also served as batboy for Auburn University. He went on to study at the university, playing for the Auburn Tigers from 1974 to 1977. In 1975 he played collegiate summer baseball with the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod Baseball League and was named a league all-star. Beckwith pitched a no-hitter against the University of Houston at the beginning of the 1976 season. He set the record at the time for most career wins (31) with the Tigers and in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Other team records he established that remained standing at the time of his death include most complete games in a season (10) and in a career (20), as well as most shutouts all-time (6) and in a single season (3). He was named to the All-SEC team in 1976 and 1977. Beckwith was initially drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 12th round of the 1976 Major League Baseball draft, but opted not to sign. He was subsequently drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the second round of the following year's draft. Career Beckwith played three seasons in the minor leagues from 1977 to 1979. He made his MLB debut on July 21, 1979, at the age of 24, relieving Don Sutton and giving up two earned runs and striking out one over