Rod Beck
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Rod Beck | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pitcher | ||
| Born: August 3 1968 | ||
| Died: June 23, 2007 (aged 38) | ||
| Batted: Right | Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | ||
| May 6, 1991 for the San Francisco Giants |
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| Final game | ||
| August 14, 2004 for the San Diego Padres |
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| Career statistics | ||
| Win-Loss | 38-45 | |
| Saves | 286 | |
| ERA | 3.30 | |
| Teams | ||
| Career highlights and awards | ||
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Rodney Roy Beck (August 3, 1968 – June 23, 2007[1]) was an American 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.
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[edit] Career
[edit] San Francisco Giants
The Oakland Athletics drafted Rod Beck as a starting pitcher in the 13th round (327th pick) of the 1986 MLB Amateur Draft. In 1989, while with the San Jose Giants of the California League[2], he posted a record of 11-2 between opening day and June 13th when he was promoted to the Shreveport Captains of the Double A Texas League. Rod made his Major League debut on May 6, 1991, versus the Montreal Expos. His performance was forgettable, (2.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER), but his season numbers were more impressive. He had a 3.78 ERA; pitched 52⅓ innings in 31 games; struck out 38 & walked 13. In 1992, Rod 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. Beck's best season was in 1993[3], when he recorded 48 saves, including a then-record 24 straight for the Giants.
[edit] Chicago Cubs
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. Beck set a career high in saves in his first season with the Cubs, converting 51 of 58 chances. 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, who turned out to be Cole Liniak[4].
[edit] Boston Red Sox
Beck pitched well for the surging Red Sox, although he struggled in the postseason (giving up a Bernie Williams walkoff home run in Game One of the 1999 ALCS) and wasn't as good as he had been in the past in his two full seasons with the team. After the 2001 season, Beck had Tommy John surgery. Beck successfully recovered from Tommy John surgery and floated around in the minors before being signed by the Cubs. While pitching for the team's AAA affiliate Iowa Cubs during his comeback, Beck gained national attention for living in a mobile home behind the team's Sec Taylor Stadium (now Principal Park) in Des Moines. Beck warmly welcomed fans to drop by and visit, use his restroom, and drink ice cold Coors Light from his refrigerator[5]. He was later traded to the San Diego Padres.
[edit] San Diego Padres
In 2003, Beck returned to the Major Leagues with the Padres, filling in for the injured Trevor Hoffman. Rod Beck converted 20 saves in 20 chances, while posting a 1.78 ERA. His statistics earned him the National League Comeback Player of the year award. In 2004, Beck dealt with personal problems during Spring Training and struggled in a seventh inning role for the Padres. Beck was released by San Diego in August.
[edit] Life after baseball
Rod Beck dabbled in acting and took a role in the forthcoming movie Work Week as the character Reggie. The movie is currently in post-production, awaiting its release.[citation needed] Alternative rock group Stroke 9 released a song entitled "Rod Beck" on its 2004 album All In.
[edit] Death
On June 23, 2007, Beck died alone at his home in Phoenix, Arizona[1][6]. While the cause of death has not been disclosed, Phoenix police do not suspect foul play;[1] cocaine was found in his home and bedroom.[7] Beck was buried in his Chicago Cubs uniform[8]. Beck's name was added to the 2008 ballot for the Baseball Hall of Fame, waiving the normal five-year period before eligibility, however he only received two votes. [9]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Haller, Doug, and Fehr-Snyder, Kerry. Ex-Giants star reliever Beck dies at 38. The Arizona Republic. June 24, 2007.
- ^ San Jose Giants
- ^ Report: Former MLB pitcher Rod Beck dies
- ^ Mark Guthrie Statistics - Baseball-Reference.com
- ^ Trailer Bash: Rod Beck's Life in the Minors
- ^ Rod Beck Dead at 38. ESPN.com news services. ESPN.com. June 24, 2007.
- ^ ESPN - Police found cocaine in several places at Rod Beck's home - MLB
- ^ Hardball | ChicagoSports | Blog
- ^ ESPN - Gossage voted into baseball Hall; Rice just misses - MLB
[edit] External links
- Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube
- BaseballLibrary.com - biography
- USA Today article about Beck's experience with Tommy John surgery
| Preceded by Randy Myers |
National League Rolaids Relief Man of the Year 1994 |
Succeeded by Tom Henke |
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| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| NAME | Beck, Rodney Roy |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Major League Baseball pitcher |
| SHORT DESCRIPTION | |
| DATE OF BIRTH | August 3, 1968 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Burbank, California, United States |
| DATE OF DEATH | June 23, 2007 |
| PLACE OF DEATH | Phoenix, Arizona, United States |
