Rod Beck Found Dead at 38

Long-haired, hard-living closer was a favorite around the league

By Jesse Andrews, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 25, 2007 4:00 AM CDT

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Rod Beck Found Dead at 38 — San Diego Padres relief pitcher Rod Beck, front, delivers a pitch as Colorado Rockies' Matt Holliday leads off first base in the seventh inning of a baseball game in Denver in this May 25, 2004 file photo. Beck was found dead Saturday, June 23, 2007, by police officers responding to a call to his home... (Associated Press)

Rod Beck, a closer with the Giants, Cubs, Red Sox, and Padres who nailed down 286 saves, died yesterday in his home in Phoenix at 38. Police do not suspect foul play. Beck led a colorful life, drinking and carousing with fans after games; his final season
was cut short by rehabilitation for substance abuse.

Beck's most celebrated performances were with the Giants in 1993, when he closed 48 games for the 103-win team, and in 1997, when he helped the team clinch its division title. Said current Giants manager Bruce Bochy: "It's so sad when you see such a healthy player go at such a young age. A lot of times you can't fight your demons." (More Rod Beck stories.)

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