He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a second baseman for the Chicago Cubs for nine seasons from 1965 to 1973, before ending his career with the San Diego Padres in 1975.

He was selected later that year by the Chicago Cubs from the Red Sox in the First-Year Player Draft on November 26.

[4] He spent three years in the minors as a shortstop, where he led the Pacific Coast League in putouts and assists in 1964.

[1] During his entire Cub tenure, he played alongside shortstop Don Kessinger and third baseman Ron Santo.

[10] After the 1973 season, the Cubs traded Beckert, along with Bobby Fenwick, to the San Diego Padres for Jerry Morales.