Miami Marlins World Series hero Josh Beckett to retire

Josh Beckett, who turned in an epic pitching performance for the Marlins when they knocked off the New York Yankees in the 2003 World Series, said he intends to retire.

Beckett, now with the Dodgers, has a torn labrum in his left hip that will require surgery. Beckett told MLB.com that at this stage of his career, he doesn't want to go through the rehab that would be needed to get him back on the mound.

Beckett, 34, was selected by the Marlins with the second overall pick in the 1999 draft and helped lead the team to its second World Series title four years later. Manager Jack McKeon sent Beckett to the mound at Yankee Stadium for Game 6 of the '03 Series on short rest, and the gamble paid off when the young pitcher hurled a complete-game shutout to clinch the title. Beckett was named Series MVP.

He was also instrumental in the Marlins win over the Chicago Cubs in Game 6 of the '03 NLCS -- the "Steve Bartman game" -- when he turned in four strong innings out of the bullpen, holding the Cubs at bay as the Marlins mounted their dramatic comeback.

Beckett pitched two more seasons with the Marlins before being traded with Mike Lowell to the Boston Red Sox in 2005 for Hanley Ramirez and Anibal Sanchez. Beckett had his ups and downs in Boston, where he won another Series ring and also posted his only 20-win season in 2007. He was later traded to the Dodgers, and this year pitched his first major league no-hitter before suffering yet another injury.

For his career, Beckett finished with a record of 138-106. With the Marlins from 2001-05, Beckett went 41-34.