Rod Beck  1968-2007

Yesterday's new about Rod Beck being found dead in his AZ home was awful news. Ever since I first saw the "Shooter" (with his shaggy stache,  his David Wells like physique, and the super mullet) pitching for the Giants, I loved watching him pitch. Few guys were as animated on the mound and loved winning as much. He and Roberto Hernandez together in 1997 was a nasty combination.

I was really psyched when he came to my Red Sox for the playoff push in 1999 for Jimy Williams. That team had so many characters in the pen, it was so much fun to watch. Derek Lowe, Tim Wakefield, and Tom Gordon all had 10 or more saves, to go with El Guapo's (Rich Garces) big season (5-1 1.55 ERA). Rod fit in perfectly in the mix and pitched well down the stretch. The Sox beat Cleveland in the playoffs (Pedro was unhittable and had his best season), but lost to the evil empire.

Beck had 2 more solid seasons with Boston even though we didn't make the playoffs in either one. I was psyched when he got a called up by the Padres in 2003  (after ESPN did the story about him entertaining fans at his trailer after minor league games) and looked so great with 20 saves filling in for Trevor Hoffman.

Rod was a really good signer and always a fan favorite. I was lucky enough to get an autograph from him during his Giants days.

All the best to his wife, children, remaining family, and friends.

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