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 (1991-97), Chicago Cubs (1998-99), Boston Red Sox (1999-2001) and San Diego Padres (2003-2004). He batted and threw right handed. This article is about the player in baseball. ... is the 215th day of the year (216th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 174th day of the year (175th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 126th day of the year (127th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is currently under construction // This year in baseball Events January 8 - Rod Carew, Gaylord Perry and Ferguson Jenkins are elected to the Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers Association of America, with Carew becoming the 22nd player to be named in his first year of eligibility. ... Major league affiliations National League (1883–present) West Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers NY, NY, 3, 4, 11, 24, 27, 30, 36, 42, 44 Name San Francisco Giants (1958–present) New York Giants (1885–1957) New York Gothams (1883–1885) Other nicknames Jints, Gigantes, G-Men Ballpark AT... is the 226th day of the year (227th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Major league affiliations National League (1969–present) West Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 6, 19, 31, 35, 42 Name San Diego Padres (1969–present) Other nicknames The Pads, The Friars, The Fathers, The Dads Ballpark PETCO Park (2004–present) Qualcomm Stadium (1969-2003) a. ... In Major League Baseball, a win (denoted W) is generally credited to the pitcher for the winning team who was in the game when they last took the lead. ... Trevor Hoffman, a closer for the San Diego Padres, is currently the leader on the all-time save list. ... In baseball statistics, earned run average (ERA) is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. ... Major league affiliations National League (1883–present) West Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers NY, NY, 3, 4, 11, 24, 27, 30, 36, 42, 44 Name San Francisco Giants (1958–present) New York Giants (1885–1957) New York Gothams (1883–1885) Other nicknames Jints, Gigantes, G-Men Ballpark AT... This article is currently under construction // This year in baseball Events January 8 - Rod Carew, Gaylord Perry and Ferguson Jenkins are elected to the Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers Association of America, with Carew becoming the 22nd player to be named in his first year of eligibility. ... The following are the events of the year 1997 that happened world-wide throughout the sport of baseball. ... Major league affiliations National League (1876–present) Central Division (1994–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 10, 14, 23, 26, 42 Name Chicago Cubs (1902–present) Chicago Orphans (1898-1901) Chicago Colts (1890-1897) Chicago White Stockings (1870-1871, 1874-1889) (a. ... This year in baseball 1995 - 1996 - 1997 - 1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - 2004 - 2005 Events January-March January 5 - Don Sutton, a 324-game winner is elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on his fifth try. ... The following are the baseball events of the year 1999 throughout the world. ... Major league affiliations American League (1901–present) East Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 1, 4, 8, 9, 27, 42 Name Boston Red Sox (1908–present) Boston Americans (1901-1907) Other nicknames The BoSox, The Olde Towne Team, The Sox Ballpark Fenway Park (1912–present) Huntington Avenue Baseball Grounds... The following are the baseball events of the year 1999 throughout the world. ... The following are the baseball events of the year 2001 throughout the world. ... Major league affiliations National League (1969–present) West Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 6, 19, 31, 35, 42 Name San Diego Padres (1969–present) Other nicknames The Pads, The Friars, The Fathers, The Dads Ballpark PETCO Park (2004–present) Qualcomm Stadium (1969-2003) a. ... The following are the events of the year 2003 that happened world-wide throughout the sport of baseball. ... The following are the baseball events of the year 2004 throughout the world. ... The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also popularly known as the Midsummer Classic, is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by fan vote for the starting position players and by the respective managers (from the previous years World... In Major League Baseball, the Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award, first awarded in 1976, is a distinction given to the top relief pitcher in each league at the end of each season. ... For other uses, see National League (disambiguation). ... is the 215th day of the year (216th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 174th day of the year (175th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Major Leagues redirects here. ... Major league affiliations National League (1883–present) West Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers NY, NY, 3, 4, 11, 24, 27, 30, 36, 42, 44 Name San Francisco Giants (1958–present) New York Giants (1885–1957) New York Gothams (1883–1885) Other nicknames Jints, Gigantes, G-Men Ballpark AT... Major league affiliations National League (1876–present) Central Division (1994–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 10, 14, 23, 26, 42 Name Chicago Cubs (1902–present) Chicago Orphans (1898-1901) Chicago Colts (1890-1897) Chicago White Stockings (1870-1871, 1874-1889) (a. ... Major league affiliations American League (1901–present) East Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 1, 4, 8, 9, 27, 42 Name Boston Red Sox (1908–present) Boston Americans (1901-1907) Other nicknames The BoSox, The Olde Towne Team, The Sox Ballpark Fenway Park (1912–present) Huntington Avenue Baseball Grounds... Major league affiliations National League (1969–present) West Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 6, 19, 31, 35, 42 Name San Diego Padres (1969–present) Other nicknames The Pads, The Friars, The Fathers, The Dads Ballpark PETCO Park (2004–present) Qualcomm Stadium (1969-2003) a. ...

Career

San Francisco Giants

The Oakland Athletics drafted Rod Beck as a starting pitcher in the 13th round (327^th 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 13^th 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. Major league affiliations American League (1901–present) West Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 9, 27, 34, 42, 43, (As) Name Oakland Athletics (1968–present) Kansas City Athletics (1955-1967) Philadelphia Athletics (1901-1954) (Referred to as As) Other nicknames The As, The White Elephants, The... This article is currently under construction // This year in baseball Events January 8 - Willie McCovey is the only player elected this year to the Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers Association of America, and becomes the 16th player elected in his first year of eligibility. ... 1989 in baseball - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... Class-Level High Class-A Minor League affiliations California League Northern Division Major League affiliations San Francisco Giants (1988–present) Name San Jose Giants (1988–present) Ballpark San Jose Municipal Stadium Minor League titles League titles 1998, 2001(co-champion), 2005, 2007 Division titles 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2005... The California League is a minor league baseball league which operates throughout the state of California. ... Opening Day is warmly regarded in North American tradition as the beginning of a new Major League Baseball season. ... League Texas League Division South Division Year founded 2003 Major League affiliation Texas Rangers (baseball) Home ballpark Dr Pepper Ballpark Previous home ballparks City Frisco, Texas Current uniform colors black, red Previous uniform colors Logo design A grey-clad cowboy riding a black horse with the wordmark RoughRiders centered above... The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. ... Major Leagues redirects here. ... is the 126th day of the year (127th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is currently under construction // This year in baseball Events January 8 - Rod Carew, Gaylord Perry and Ferguson Jenkins are elected to the Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers Association of America, with Carew becoming the 22nd player to be named in his first year of eligibility. ... The Montreal Expos (French: Les Expos de Montréal) were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada from 1969 until 2004. ... In baseball statistics, earned run average (ERA) is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. ... The following are the baseball events of the year 1992 throughout the world. ... David Allan Righetti (born November 28, 1958 in San Jose, California), nicknamed Rags, is an American former left-handed pitcher, and current pitching coach, in Major League Baseball. ... Trevor Hoffman, a closer for the San Diego Padres, is currently the leader on the all-time save list. ... // This year in baseball Events January - Reggie Jackson is elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers Association of America, receiving 94% of the vote. ...

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]. The following are the events of the year 1997 that happened world-wide throughout the sport of baseball. ... Robb Nen Robert Allan Robb Nen (born November 28, 1969 in San Pedro, California) was a former right-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball, more specifically a closer. ... The following are the baseball events of the year 1999 throughout the world. ... Mark Andrew Guthrie (born September 22, 1965 in Buffalo, New York) is a Major League Baseball player. ...

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. Bernabé Bernie Williams Figueroa (born September 13, 1968, in San Juan, Puerto Rico) is a Major League Baseball outfielder and a guitar-playing jazz recording artist. ... The 1999 American League Championship Series was a matchup between the Eastern Division Champion New York Yankees (98-64) and the Wild Card Boston Red Sox (94-68). ... The following are the baseball events of the year 2001 throughout the world. ... Tommy John surgery, known by doctors as ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (or UCL), is a surgical procedure in which a ligament in the medial elbow is replaced with a tendon from elsewhere in the body (often from the forearm, hamstring, knee, or foot of the patient). ... Class-Level Triple-A Minor League affiliations Pacific Coast League (1998-Present) American Conference North Division American Association (1969-1997) Major League affiliation Chicago Cubs (1981-Present) Chicago White Sox (1976-1980) Houston Astros (1975) Chicago White Sox (1973-1974) Oakland Athletics (1969-1973) Current uniform Name Iowa Cubs (1982... Principal Park, formerly Sec Taylor Stadium, is a minor league baseball stadium located in Des Moines, Iowa. ... This article is about the state capital of Iowa. ... Major league affiliations National League (1969–present) West Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 6, 19, 31, 35, 42 Name San Diego Padres (1969–present) Other nicknames The Pads, The Friars, The Fathers, The Dads Ballpark PETCO Park (2004–present) Qualcomm Stadium (1969-2003) a. ...

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. The following are the events of the year 2003 that happened world-wide throughout the sport of baseball. ... Trevor William Hoffman (October 13, 1967 in Bellflower, California) is a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who has played for the San Diego Padres since 1993. ... The following are the baseball events of the year 2004 throughout the world. ...

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^[6].

Death

On June 23, 2007, Beck died alone at his home in Phoenix, Arizona^[1][7]. 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.^[8] Beck was buried in his Chicago Cubs uniform^[9]. Beck was named in the 2008 ballot for the Baseball Hall of Fame, waiving the normal five-year period before eligibility. is the 174th day of the year (175th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... Nickname: Location in Maricopa County and the state of Arizona Coordinates: , Country State County Maricopa Incorporated February 25, 1881 Government  - Type Council-Manager  - Mayor Phil Gordon (D) Area  - City  515. ... Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. ... The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, located at 62 Main Street in Cooperstown, New York, is a semi-official museum operated by private interests serving as the central point for the study of the history of baseball in the United States and beyond, the display of baseball-related...

In popular culture

Alternative rock group Stroke 9 released a song entitled "Rod Beck" on its 2004 album All In. The song does not mention Beck by name but is narrated by a character struggling with personal problems similar to those Beck suffered^[10]. Alternative music redirects here. ... Stroke 9 is a band that was formed in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1989. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... All In is the sixth album from San Francisco, California alternative rock band Stroke 9. ...

See also

• List of Major League Baseball all-time saves leaders
• San Diego Padres all-time roster

All statistics are current as of July 7, 2007. ... The following is a list of players, both past and current, who appeared at least in one game for the San Diego Padres National League franchise (1965-present). ...

References

The Arizona Republic is a newspaper published in Phoenix, Arizona. ... is the 175th day of the year (176th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... ESPN.com is the official website of ESPN and a division of ESPN Inc. ... is the 175th day of the year (176th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...

External links

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to:

Rod Beck

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference
• BaseballLibrary.com - biography
• USA Today article about Beck's experience with Tommy John surgery