Aw, damn.

[gridlore]

Former All-Star Beck dead at 38

Rod Beck, a former reliever for the Giants, Padres, Cubs and Red Sox, has passed away, a Giants official said on Sunday. Beck was 38 years old.

The Giants were informed of Beck's death on Saturday night and informed the players, announcers and front-office staff, who were openly speaking about the death prior to Sunday's game against the Yankees at AT&T Park. An official statement was being held pending notification of Beck's family.

Beck's career stats

Closers have always been my favorites, and Beck was one of the great ones. He never looked like an athlete - drooping mustache, beer gut, double chin, but when he would climb on the mound for the ninth inning he would dazzle batters with an amazing combination of breaking balls and screamers at the corners.

Possibly the greatest story about shooter comes from his comeback in 2003. Playing for the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, Beck lived in a motor home. After games, he'd welcome anyone in for beer and baseball stories. Anyone. Imagine A-Rod having a bunch of fans over to his place.

Baseball has lost a character, and humanity has been diminished.

Get 'em out, Shooter.



EDIT: The SFGate's Betting Fool has a great tribute to Beck.

Comments

[netquiddler.livejournal.com]

Tis a real shame there. May he rest in peace.

[lysana.livejournal.com]

Damn. That sucks.