Today June 23, 2007, Beck died alone at his home in Phoenix, Arizona. The cause of death is currently unknown; foul play is not suspected. Beck is survived by his wife, Stacey, and two children.
Rodney Roy Beck (August 3, 1968 – June 23, 2007)
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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 terrific. He had a 3.78 ERA; pitched 52 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 record 24 straight for the Giants.
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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 struggled mightily, and was dealt by Chicago to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for reliever Mark Guthrie and a player to be named later.
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Boston Red Sox
Beck pitched well for the surging Red Sox, although he struggled in the postseason 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 and later traded to the San Diego Padres.
 http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20040818/images/beck.jpg">
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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.
Rod Beck, an All-Star relief pitcher who notched 286 saves during a 13-year Major League Baseball career, has been found dead at his Phoenix home, police said on Sunday.
An investigation by the county medical examiner to determine the cause of Beck's death could take "a number of days," according to police spokesman Sgt. Andy Hill, who added that foul play is not suspected.
Beck, 38, a three time All-Star, recorded 51 saves for the Chicago Cubs in 1998 but only notched 36 saves over the next six seasons.
He also pitched for the San Francisco Giants and the Boston Red Sox, before finishing his career with the San Diego Padres in 2004.
"When our partnership group took over the Giants in 1993, all of San Francisco was treated to a wonderful 103-win year," Giants owner Peter Magowan said in a statement.
"Nobody who was a part of that will forget Rod's 48 saves. When we reached our dream of the playoffs in 1997, it was only fitting that Rod was on the mound for the final out that clinched the National League West.
"Everyone in the Giants organization is deeply saddened by the loss of a dear friend. Rod Beck was a true Giant in every sense of the word -- from his dedication on the field to his selflessness away from the park."
Beck, who sported a long mustache, was excitable on the mound and earned the nickname "Shooter."
Off the field, Beck was known to have wrestled with drug problems and went into rehabilitation during his last year in professional baseball.
Hill said that police were called to Beck's home in a Phoenix suburb on Saturday.
Hill said his identity was not released until Sunday because Beck's two children were away at summer camp and needed to be informed.
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