View source for Rod Beck

{{Short description|American baseball player (1968–2007)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2023}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name=Rod Beck
|image=Rod Beck.jpg
|caption= Beck, pictured at 2007 Cubs Convention
|position=[[Pitcher]]
|bats=Right
|throws=Right
|birth_date={{Birth date|1968|8|3}}
|birth_place=[[Burbank, California]], U.S.
|death_date={{death date and age|2007|6|23|1968|8|3}}
|death_place=[[Phoenix, Arizona]], U.S.
|debutleague = MLB
|debutdate=May 6
|debutyear=1991
|debutteam=San Francisco Giants
|finalleague = MLB
|finaldate=August 14
|finalyear=2004
|finalteam=San Diego Padres
|statleague = MLB
|stat1label=[[Win–loss record (pitching)|Win–loss record]]
|stat1value=38–45
|stat2label=[[Earned run average]]
|stat2value=3.30
|stat3label=[[Strikeout]]s
|stat3value=644
|stat4label=[[Save (baseball)|Saves]]
|stat4value=286
|teams=
* [[San Francisco Giants]] ({{mlby|1991}}–{{mlby|1997}})
* [[Chicago Cubs]] ({{mlby|1998}}–{{mlby|1999}})
* [[Boston Red Sox]] ({{mlby|1999}}–{{mlby|2001}})
* [[San Diego Padres]] ({{mlby|2003}}–{{mlby|2004}})
|highlights=
* 3× [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] ([[1993 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1993]], [[1994 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1994]], [[1997 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1997]])
* [[NL Rolaids Relief Man Award]] (1994)
* [[San Francisco Giants Wall of Fame]]
}}
'''Rodney Roy Beck''' (August 3, 1968 – June 23, 2007<ref name="azrepublic">{{cite news|title=Ex-closer Beck dies at 38|url=http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/0624beck-ON.html|access-date=September 30, 2010|newspaper=The Arizona Republic|date=June 24, 2007|author=Haller, Doug|author2=Fehr-Snyder, Kerry}}</ref>), nicknamed "'''Shooter'''", was an American professional [[baseball]] [[relief pitcher]] in [[Major League Baseball]] who played for the [[San Francisco Giants]] ({{mlby|1991}}–{{mlby|1997}}), [[Chicago Cubs]] ({{mlby|1998}}–{{mlby|1999}}), [[Boston Red Sox]] (1999–{{mlby|2001}}) and [[San Diego Padres]] ({{mlby|2003}}–{{mlby|2004}}). He batted and threw [[right-handed]].<ref name=br>{{cite web|title=Rod Beck Statistics and History|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/beckro01.shtml|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=May 6, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430111204/http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/beckro01.shtml|archive-date=April 30, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Career==

===San Francisco Giants===
The [[Oakland Athletics]] drafted Beck as a starting pitcher in the 13th round (327th pick) of the [[1986 Major League Baseball Draft]].<ref name=1986draft>{{cite web|title=1986 MLB Draft History – Round 13|url=http://www.mymlbdraft.com/1986/round13/|work=myMLBdraft.com|access-date=May 6, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727185853/http://www.mymlbdraft.com/1986/round13/|archive-date=July 27, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> Prior to the 1988 season, he was traded to the [[San Francisco Giants]] organization.<ref name="br" /> In {{Baseball year|1989}}, while with the [[San Jose Giants]] of the [[California League]], he posted a record of 11–2 between [[Opening Day|opening day]] and June 14, when he was promoted to the [[Shreveport Captains]] of the Double A [[Texas League]].<ref name=brminors>{{cite web|title=Rod Beck Minor League Statistics|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=beck--001rod|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=May 6, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604174647/http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=beck--001rod|archive-date=June 4, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=AApromote>{{cite web|last=Lampe|first=Chris R.|title=Thirteen Games to Stardom: Memories of Rod Beck|url=http://www.sjgiantsfans.org/columns/lampe070704|work=SJ Giants Fans|access-date=May 6, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080827200519/http://www.sjgiantsfans.org/columns/lampe070704|archive-date=August 27, 2008|date=July 8, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Beck made his [[Major League Baseball|Major League]] debut on May 6, 1991,<ref name="br" /> against the [[Montreal Expos]]. His performance was forgettable (2.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER),<ref name=BOX6may1991>{{cite web|title=Expos 10, Giants 4|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MON/MON199105060.shtml|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=May 6, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016121428/http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MON/MON199105060.shtml|archive-date=October 16, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> but his season numbers were more impressive. He had a 3.78 [[Earned run average|ERA]], pitched {{frac|52|1|3}} innings in 31 games, and struck out 38 while walking 13.<ref name="br" /> In {{Baseball year|1992}}, Beck took over as the regular closer from [[Dave Righetti]] and posted a record of 3–3 with 17 [[Save (baseball)|saves]] and a 1.76 ERA. He pitched 92 innings over 65 games and struck out 87 while walking only 15.<ref name=sf1992>{{cite web|title=1992 San Francisco Giants: Batting, Pitching, & Fielding Statistics|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SFG/1992.shtml|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=May 6, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000914165236/http://baseball-reference.com/teams/SFG/1992.shtml|archive-date=September 14, 2000|url-status=dead}}</ref> In {{baseball year|1993}} he recorded 48 saves, including 24 consecutive. At the time, both marks were Giants franchise records.<ref name=BL>{{cite web|title=Rod Beck|url=https://baseballbiography.com/rod-beck-1968|work=Baseballbiography.com|access-date=May 6, 2011|archive-date=February 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208030017/https://baseballbiography.com/rod-beck-1968/|url-status=live}}</ref> Beck found success using a [[sinker (baseball)|sinker]], [[Slider (baseball)|slider]], and [[Fastball#Split-finger fastball and forkball|splitter]].<ref name="JamesNeyer2004">{{cite book|last1=James|first1=Bill|last2=Neyer|first2=Rob|title=The Neyer/James Guide to Pitchers: An Historical Compendium of Pitching, Pitchers, and Pitches|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7FfRLE6I5EEC&pg=GBS.PA130.w.1.7.0|access-date=June 19, 2012|date=June 15, 2004|publisher=Simon and Schuster|isbn=9780743261586|page=130}}</ref>

====September 18, 1997====
On September 17 and 18, [[1997 in baseball|1997]], the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] came to San Francisco to play a two-game series at [[Candlestick Park]].<ref name=LAD97sched>{{cite web|title=1997 Los Angeles Dodgers Schedule|url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/schedule.php?y=1997&t=LAN|work=Baseball Almanac|access-date=May 7, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021230101752/http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/schedule.php?y=1997&t=LAN|archive-date=December 30, 2002|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Dodgers were leading the [[National League (baseball)|National League West]] with a record of 84–67. The Giants were in 2nd place with a record of 82–69; 2 games behind.<ref name=BAboxsep17>{{cite web|title=Los Angeles Dodgers vs San Francisco Giants September 17, 1997, Box Score|url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/box-scores/boxscore.php?boxid=199709170SFN|work=Baseball Almanac|access-date=May 7, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090726034536/http://www.baseball-almanac.com/box-scores/boxscore.php?boxid=199709170SFN|archive-date=July 26, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Giants won the first game 2–1 behind lefty [[Kirk Rueter]]. In that contest, [[Barry Bonds]] hit a two-run [[Home 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.<ref name=sep17laSF>{{cite web|title=San Francisco Giants 2, Los Angeles Dodgers 1|url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1997/B09170SFN1997.htm|work=Retrosheet|access-date=May 7, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902225421/https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1997/B09170SFN1997.htm|archive-date=September 2, 2021|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On September 18, he came into the game in the top of the 10th with the score tied 5–5.<ref name=BOX18sep97>{{cite web|title=San Francisco Giants 6, Los Angeles Dodgers 5|url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1997/B09180SFN1997.htm|work=Retrosheet|access-date=May 7, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308233606/https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1997/B09180SFN1997.htm|archive-date=March 8, 2021|url-status=dead}}</ref> As the season had progressed, Beck had lost his [[Closer (baseball)|closer's]] job to [[Roberto Hernández (baseball, born 1964)|Roberto Hernández]].<ref name=SF97gamelog>{{cite web|title=1997 San Francisco Giants: Schedule, Box Scores and Splits|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SFG/1997-schedule-scores.shtml|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=May 7, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120601001856/http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SFG/1997-schedule-scores.shtml|archive-date=June 1, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> 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 {{frac|2|3}} of an inning.<ref name=BAboxsep15>{{cite web|title=San Francisco Giants vs Atlanta Braves September 15, 1997, Box Score|url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/box-scores/boxscore.php?boxid=199709150ATL|work=Baseball Almanac|access-date=May 7, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060615170356/http://baseball-almanac.com/box-scores/boxscore.php?boxid=199709150ATL|archive-date=June 15, 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref> Beck got into trouble immediately by giving up consecutive singles to [[Mike Piazza]], [[Eric Karros]], and [[Raúl Mondesí]].<ref>{{cite news | url=http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/e/a/1997/09/19/SPORTS2546.dtl&hw=Giants&sn=060&sc=408 | work=The San Francisco Chronicle | title=Sweeping Giants wake | first=Henry | last=Schulman | date=September 19, 1997 | access-date=May 4, 2009 | archive-date=July 26, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090726042521/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/e/a/1997/09/19/SPORTS2546.dtl&hw=Giants&sn=060&sc=408 | url-status=live }}</ref> 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."<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/e/a/1997/09/19/SPORTS1908.dtl&hw=Giants+September+1997&sn=088&sc=410 | work=The San Francisco Chronicle | title=Baseball as you always hope it will be | first=Ray | last=Ratto | date=September 19, 1997 | access-date=May 4, 2009 | archive-date=August 2, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090802224208/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/e/a/1997/09/19/SPORTS1908.dtl&hw=Giants+September+1997&sn=088&sc=410 | url-status=live }}</ref>

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 (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,<ref name="BOX18sep97" /> would go on to win the Western Division crown.<ref name="SF97gamelog" />

===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]].<ref name=nennSuccessor>{{cite web|title=It Takes One to Know One|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CC&s_site=contracostatimes&p_multi=CC&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=10640249ADA042C6&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|work=Contra Costa Times Archives|access-date=May 7, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708204701/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CC&s_site=contracostatimes&p_multi=CC&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=10640249ADA042C6&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackva|archive-date=July 8, 2019|date=August 24, 1999|url-status=dead}}</ref> Beck set a career high in saves in 1998, his first season with the Cubs, converting 51 of 58 chances.<ref name="br" /> 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,<ref name=trade>{{cite news|last=Armour|first=Nancy|title=Sox Get Closer Beck from Cubs: Boston Preps for Pennant Drive|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=gKJJAAAAIBAJ&pg=1505,183608&dq=rod+beck+trade+to+red+sox&hl=en|access-date=May 7, 2011|newspaper=Bangor Daily News|date=September 1, 1999|agency=The Associated Press|page=C6|archive-date=April 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407013606/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=gKJJAAAAIBAJ&pg=1505,183608&dq=rod+beck+trade+to+red+sox&hl=en|url-status=live}}</ref> who turned out to be [[Cole Liniak]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/g/guthrma01.shtml|title=Mark Guthrie Stats|website=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=March 26, 2018|archive-date=April 2, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090402222727/http://www.baseball-reference.com/g/guthrma01.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Boston Red Sox===
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]].<ref name=walkoffNYY>{{cite web|title=Walk-Offs in the Post Season|url=http://www.yankeenumbers.com/WalkOffHomeRuns.asp?fltr=PS|work=Yankee Numbers|access-date=May 7, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005230743/http://www.yankeenumbers.com/WalkOffHomeRuns.asp?fltr=PS|archive-date=October 5, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> Beck was not as good in his two full seasons with the team as he had been in the past.<ref name="br" /> After the 2001 season, Beck had [[Tommy John surgery]] and missed the 2002 season.<ref name="TommyJohn" />

===Beck to the Minors===
Beck successfully recovered from [[Ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction|Tommy John surgery]] and, as a free agent, was signed by the Cubs in January 2003.<ref name=TommyJohn>{{cite web|last=Beaton|first=Rod|title=Pitchers at different stages|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/2003-07-29-tommy-john-three-pitchers_x.htm|work=USA Today|access-date=May 7, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020020018/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/2003-07-29-tommy-john-three-pitchers_x.htm|archive-date=October 20, 2011|date=July 29, 2003|url-status=dead}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|last=Drehs|first=Wayne|title=The place to go where no one knows your name|url=http://static.espn.go.com/mlb/s/2003/0515/1554407.html|publisher=ESPN|access-date=September 30, 2010|archive-date=July 26, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090726163534/http://static.espn.go.com/mlb/s/2003/0515/1554407.html|url-status=live}}</ref> This time he did not play in the majors for the Cubs, and they released him in May 2003.<ref name="br" />

===San Diego Padres===
Immediately after leaving the Cubs in 2003, Beck returned to the Major Leagues with the Padres<ref name="br" /> to fill in for the injured [[Trevor Hoffman]].<ref name=2003SD>{{cite web|last=Leshanski|first=Jonathan|title=Postmortem: The San Diego Padres|url=http://old.athomeplate.com/padres2.shtml|work=At Home Plate|access-date=May 7, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110823153456/http://old.athomeplate.com/padres2.shtml|archive-date=August 23, 2011|date=November 26, 2003|url-status=dead}} </ref> He converted 20 saves in 20 chances, while posting a 1.78 ERA.<ref name="br" /> His statistics earned him the [[Players Choice Award|National League Comeback Player of the Year]] award.<ref name=comeback>{{cite web|title=Pujols, A-Rod named top players by their peers|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2003/baseball/mlb/11/05/bc.bbm.lgns.playerschoice.r/|work=SI.com|access-date=May 7, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104061241/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2003/baseball/mlb/11/05/bc.bbm.lgns.playerschoice.r/|archive-date=November 4, 2012|date=November 5, 2003|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2004, Beck dealt with personal problems during [[Spring Training]]<ref name=2004spring>{{cite web|title=Pitcher attending to personal problem|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=1760409|work=ESPN| date=March 16, 2004 |access-date=May 7, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106213156/http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1760409|archive-date=November 6, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> and struggled in a seventh inning role for the Padres. Beck was released by San Diego in August.<ref name="br" />

==Death==
On June 23, {{Baseball year|2007}}, Beck died at his home in [[Phoenix, Arizona]].<ref name="azrepublic" /><ref name="espndeath">[https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2914994 Rod Beck Dead at 38] . ESPN.com news services. [[ESPN.com]]. June 24, 2007.</ref> The Maricopa County medical examiner did not publicly disclose the cause of death and the Phoenix police did not suspect foul play.<ref name="azrepublic" /> Beck's ex-wife stated she believed his death to be drug-related.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kiefer|first=Michael|title=Ex-wife says cocaine habit killed baseball star|url=http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/0801beck0801.html|access-date=September 30, 2010|newspaper=The Arizona Republic|date=August 1, 2007}}{{broken link|date=March 2020}}</ref> [[Cocaine]] and heroin were found in his home and bedroom.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2956394|title=Report: Police found cocaine in home of Rod Beck|date=July 31, 2007|website=ESPN.com|access-date=September 21, 2018|archive-date=September 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180921225958/http://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2956394|url-status=live}}</ref>

Beck was buried in Phoenix wearing his Chicago Cubs uniform.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sullivan|first=Paul|title=Ex-Cub week in review|url=http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports_hardball/2007/07/ex-cub-week-in-.html|access-date=September 30, 2010|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=July 2, 2007|archive-date=July 5, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070705195132/http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports_hardball/2007/07/ex-cub-week-in-.html|url-status=dead}} </ref> He was added to the {{Baseball year|2008}} ballot for the [[Baseball Hall of Fame]], earlier than the typical retirement rule due to his death,<ref>{{cite web|title=BBWAA Election Rules|url=http://baseballhall.org/hall-famers/rules-election/bbwaa|publisher=Baseball Writers' Association of America|access-date=September 30, 2010|archive-date=May 30, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100530074537/http://baseballhall.org/hall-famers/rules-election/bbwaa|url-status=live}}</ref> and received two votes.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gossage voted into baseball Hall; Rice just misses|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/hof08/news/story?id=3186626|publisher=ESPN|access-date=September 30, 2010|date=January 8, 2008|archive-date=November 12, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111112152448/http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/hof08/news/story?id=3186626|url-status=live}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Biography|Baseball}}
{{-}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
{{Baseballstats|mlb=110763|espn=2484|br=b/beckro01|fangraphs=1730|brm=beck--001rod}}
* {{Findagrave|20064206}}

{{NL Relief Man Award Winners}}
{{San Francisco Giants Wall of Fame}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Beck, Rod}}
[[Category:1968 births]]
[[Category:2007 deaths]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball pitchers]]
[[Category:San Francisco Giants players]]
[[Category:Chicago Cubs players]]
[[Category:Boston Red Sox players]]
[[Category:San Diego Padres players]]
[[Category:National League All-Stars]]
[[Category:Baseball players from Burbank, California]]
[[Category:Baseball players from Phoenix, Arizona]]
[[Category:Medford A's players]]
[[Category:Clinton Giants players]]
[[Category:San Jose Giants players]]
[[Category:Shreveport Captains players]]
[[Category:Phoenix Firebirds players]]
[[Category:Iowa Cubs players]]
[[Category:Pawtucket Red Sox players]]
[[Category:20th-century American sportsmen]]