Rod Beck | |
---|---|
Pitcher | |
Born: Burbank, California, U.S. | August 3, 1968|
Died: June 23, 2007 Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. | (aged 38)|
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 |
Teams | |
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Career highlights and awards | |
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Rodney Roy Beck (August 3, 1968 – June 23, 2007 [1]), nicknamed "Shooter", was an American professional baseball relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the San Francisco Giants ( 1991– 1997), Chicago Cubs ( 1998– 1999), Boston Red Sox (1999– 2001), and San Diego Padres ( 2003– 2004). He batted and threw right-handed. [2]
The Oakland Athletics drafted Beck as a starting pitcher in the 13th round (327th pick) of the 1986 Major League Baseball Draft. [3] Prior to the 1988 season, he was traded to the San Francisco Giants organization. [2] In 1989, while with the San Jose Giants of the California League, he posted a record of 11–2 between opening day and June 14, when he was promoted to the Shreveport Captains of the Double A Texas League. [4] [5]
Beck made his Major League debut on May 6, 1991, [2] against the Montreal Expos. His performance was forgettable (2.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER), [6] but his season numbers were more impressive. He had a 3.78 ERA, pitched 52+1⁄3 innings in 31 games, and struck out 38 while walking 13. [2] In 1992, Beck took over as the regular closer from Dave Righetti and posted a record of 3–3 with 17 saves and a 1.76 ERA. He pitched 92 innings over 65 games and struck out 87 while walking only 15. [7] In 1993 he recorded 48 saves, including 24 consecutive. At the time, both marks were Giants franchise records. [8] Beck found success using a sinker, slider, and splitter. [9]
On September 17 and 18, 1997, the Los Angeles Dodgers came to San Francisco to play a two-game series at Candlestick Park. [10] The Dodgers were leading the National 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 lefty Kirk Rueter. In that contest, Barry Bonds hit a two-run homer in the first inning for the Giants, while Raúl 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 his closer's job to Roberto Hernández. [14] In fact, Beck had blown a save three days earlier in Atlanta while trying to close that game. He had given up 4 earned runs in just 2⁄3 of an inning. [15] Beck got into trouble immediately by giving up consecutive singles to Mike Piazza, Eric Karros, and Raúl Mondesí. [16] With the bases loaded, nobody out and the crowd booing loudly, manager Dusty 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 out Todd Zeile looking at an inside-corner fastball. When he got pinch hitter Eddie Murray to bounce a splitter into an inning-ending double play, the crowd of 52,188 went crazy. Two innings later, Giants reserve catcher Brian 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 with Robb 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 reliever Mark Guthrie and a player to be named later, [19] who turned out to be Cole Liniak. [20]
Beck pitched well for the surging Red Sox, although he struggled in the postseason, giving up a Bernie Williams walk-off home run in Game One of the 1999 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 had Tommy John surgery and missed the 2002 season. [22]
Beck successfully recovered from Tommy John surgery and, as a free agent, was signed by the Cubs in January 2003. [22] While pitching for the team's AAA affiliate Iowa Cubs during his comeback, Beck gained national attention for living in a motor home behind the team's Sec Taylor Stadium (now Principal Park) in Des 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 injured Trevor Hoffman. [24] He converted 20 saves in 20 chances, while posting a 1.78 ERA. [2] His statistics earned him the National League Comeback Player of the Year award. [25] In 2004, Beck dealt with personal problems during Spring 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 alone at his home in Phoenix, 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 Beck's 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 the 2008 ballot for the Baseball Hall of Fame, earlier than the typical retirement rule due to his death, [31] and received two votes. [32]