[2][3] His father, Bill, worked at the Auburn University in public relations and as director of ticket sales over four decades; his mother was Marjorie.

[9] He made his MLB debut on July 21, 1979, at the age of 24,[8] relieving Don Sutton and giving up two earned runs and striking out one over 2 innings in a 7–2 loss to the Montreal Expos.

[10] He finished his rookie season in 1980 with a 3–3 win–loss record, a 1.96 earned run average (ERA), and 40 strikeouts over 59+2⁄3 innings pitched.

[8][A] Beckwith suffered double vision in 1981, sidelining him the entire season in which the Dodgers won the World Series.

[12][13] He sustained the injury in spring training while pitching batting practice without a screen in front to shield him.

[13] He pitched two innings in his lone appearance in Game 4,[8][15] and was one of only two relief pitchers the Royals used during the series (the other being closer Dan Quisenberry).

After signing with the Toronto Blue Jays but unable to make it onto their major league roster, he rejoined the Dodgers on July 31, 1986.

[4][18] That same year, Beckwith was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame,[7] becoming the first graduate of Auburn High to be enshrined there.