| Rod Beck | |
|---|---|
 Beck, pictured at 2007 Cubs Convention | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born:(1968-08-03)August 3, 1968 Burbank, California, U.S. | |
| Died: June 23, 2007(2007-06-23) (aged 38) Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| May 6, 1991, for the San Francisco Giants | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| August 14, 2004, for the San Diego Padres | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 38–45 |
| Earned run average | 3.30 |
| Strikeouts | 644 |
| Saves | 286 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Rodney Roy Beck (August 3, 1968 – June 23, 2007[1]), nicknamed "Shooter", was an American professionalbaseballrelief pitcher inMajor League Baseball who played for theSan Francisco Giants (1991–1997),Chicago Cubs (1998–1999),Boston Red Sox (1999–2001) andSan Diego Padres (2003–2004). He batted and threwright-handed.[2]
TheOakland Athletics drafted Beck as a starting pitcher in the 13th round (327th pick) of the1986 Major League Baseball Draft.[3] Prior to the 1988 season, he was traded to theSan Francisco Giants organization.[2] In1989, while with theSan Jose Giants of theCalifornia League, he posted a record of 11–2 betweenopening day and June 14, when he was promoted to theShreveport Captains of the Double ATexas League.[4][5]
Beck made hisMajor League debut on May 6, 1991,[2] against theMontreal Expos. His performance was forgettable (2.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER),[6] but his season numbers were more impressive. He had a 3.78ERA, pitched52+1⁄3 innings in 31 games, and struck out 38 while walking 13.[2] In1992, Beck took over as the regular closer fromDave Righetti and posted a record of 3–3 with 17saves and a 1.76 ERA. He pitched 92 innings over 65 games and struck out 87 while walking only 15.[7] In1993 he recorded 48 saves, including 24 consecutive. At the time, both marks were Giants franchise records.[8] Beck found success using asinker,slider, andsplitter.[9]
On September 17 and 18,1997, theLos Angeles Dodgers came to San Francisco to play a two-game series atCandlestick Park.[10] The Dodgers were leading theNational League West with a record of 84–67. The Giants were in 2nd place with a record of 82–69; 2 games behind.[11] The Giants won the first game 2–1 behind leftyKirk Rueter. In that contest,Barry Bonds hit a two-runhomer in the first inning for the Giants, whileRaúl Mondesí hit a solo shot in the fifth for the Dodgers. Beck did not pitch in the game.[12]
On September 18, he came into the game in the top of the 10th with the score tied 5–5.[13] As the season had progressed, Beck had lost hiscloser's job toRoberto Hernández.[14] In fact, Beck had blown a save three days earlier inAtlanta while trying to close that game. He had given up 4 earned runs in just2⁄3 of an inning.[15] Beck got into trouble immediately by giving up consecutive singles toMike Piazza,Eric Karros, andRaúl Mondesí.[16] With the bases loaded, nobody out and the crowd booing loudly, managerDusty Baker came out to talk to Beck, who was obviously struggling. Baker told Beck, "You're the guy."[17]
Baker left Beck in, and Beck proceeded to strike outTodd Zeile looking at an inside-corner fastball. When he got pinch hitterEddie Murray to bounce a splitter into an inning-ending double play, the crowd of 52,188 went crazy. Two innings later, Giants reserve catcherBrian Johnson led off with a home run to left field, giving Beck a 6–5 win. The Giants, now tied with the Dodgers for the division lead,[13] would go on to win the Western Division crown.[14]
After the 1997 season, the Giants felt Beck's best years were behind him, and allowed him to leave as a free agent to sign with the Chicago Cubs, replacing him withRobb Nen.[18] Beck set a career high in saves in 1998, his first season with the Cubs, converting 51 of 58 chances.[2] However, in the 1999 season, Beck battled injury, and was traded by Chicago to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for relieverMark Guthrie and a player to be named later,[19] who turned out to beCole Liniak.[20]
Beck pitched well for the surging Red Sox, although he struggled in the postseason, giving up aBernie Williams walk-off home run in Game One of the1999 ALCS.[21] Beck was not as good in his two full seasons with the team as he had been in the past.[2] After the 2001 season, Beck hadTommy John surgery and missed the 2002 season.[22]
Beck successfully recovered fromTommy John surgery and, as a free agent, was signed by the Cubs in January 2003.[22] While pitching for the team's AAA affiliateIowa Cubs during his comeback, Beck gained national attention for living in a motor home behind the team's Sec Taylor Stadium (nowPrincipal Park) inDes Moines. Beck warmly welcomed fans to drop by and visit, signed autographs and offered free beer.[23] This time he did not play in the majors for the Cubs, and they released him in May 2003.[2]
Immediately after leaving the Cubs in 2003, Beck returned to the Major Leagues with the Padres[2] to fill in for the injuredTrevor Hoffman.[24] He converted 20 saves in 20 chances, while posting a 1.78 ERA.[2] His statistics earned him theNational League Comeback Player of the Year award.[25] In 2004, Beck dealt with personal problems duringSpring Training[26] and struggled in a seventh inning role for the Padres. Beck was released by San Diego in August.[2]
On June 23,2007, Beck died at his home inPhoenix, Arizona.[1][27] The Maricopa County medical examiner did not publicly disclose the cause of death and the Phoenix police did not suspect foul play.[1] Beck's ex-wife stated she believed his death to be drug-related.[28]Cocaine and heroin were found in his home and bedroom.[29]
Beck was buried in Phoenix wearing his Chicago Cubs uniform.[30] He was added to the2008 ballot for theBaseball Hall of Fame, earlier than the typical retirement rule due to his death,[31] and received two votes.[32]
· Baseball Almanac
