Rod Beck dead at Age 38

[Dback Jon]

Shocking news...

PHOENIX (TICKER) -- Former major league relief pitcher Rod Beck died Saturday at his home in northeast Phoenix, according to the Arizona Republic website.

Beck was 38.

The cause of death is unknown. Police are investigating because Beck was alone at the time of his death, but no foul play is expected.

The righthander was a relief pitcher for the San Francisco Giants (1991-97), Chicago Cubs (1998-99), Boston Red Sox (1999-2001) and San Diego Padres (2003-2004).

In 13 seasons, he compiled a 38-45 record and a 3.30 ERA with 286 saves.

In 2004, Beck dealt with personal problems during spring training and struggled on the mound before being released by San Diego in August.

Beck's best season was in 1993 when he recorded 48 saves,

 

[BC867]

Rod Beck had a spectacular and rewarding 38 years.

If the culprit was drugs, it's too bad they robbed him of another 38 years with his family.

 

[PDXChris]

He also had 51 saves in 98 for the Cubs. He was a big part in getting the Cubs to the playoffs, him and Sammy. I had heard he was clean now, but he was a big guy and my guess is if he was clean, his heart was probably a mess and just gave out. TOo bad, he was the type of player you loved to root for, kind of like a John Kruk.

 

[dbUNIT16]

This just screams steroids to me. It's sad, but maybe the young players will learn better. First Camineti, now maybe Rob. I don't know, he was a bigger guy though, it could be heart failure.

 

[Diamondback Jay]

Regardless of what caused his untimely death at 38, Beck was a hell of a closer in the day and one of baseball's truly unique characters.

Anyone remember the stories about him living in his RV outside the ballpark in Iowa when he was down in the minors there? Guy would throw back beers with fans and seemed to be very fan friendly. You see far few like that these days.

 

[PDXChris]

Anyone remember the stories about him living in his RV outside the ballpark in Iowa when he was down in the minors there? Guy would throw back beers with fans and seemed to be very fan friendly. You see far few like that these days.

I do remember that story. That was great. I would always invites fans back to his RV after the games. They called him "Shooter".

 

[abomb]

Regardless of what caused his untimely death at 38, Beck was a hell of a closer in the day and one of baseball's truly unique characters.

Anyone remember the stories about him living in his RV outside the ballpark in Iowa when he was down in the minors there? Guy would throw back beers with fans and seemed to be very fan friendly. You see far few like that these days.

Yep, that's a great story.