June 24, 2007

So Long, Shooter : Rod "Shooter" Beck, former closer for the Cubs and Giants (as well as other teams), dies at 38.

read story | posted by TheQatarian to Baseball at 3:09 PM CDT (14 comments total)

I'll always remember him with Boston-- mostly for the time he dropped his gum onto the mound at Toronto, picked it back up and put it in his mouth.

RIP

posted by Mayor Curley at 3:28 PM CDT on June 24

Growing up a Giants fan in the early 90s, I thought of nobody else but Beck when it came to closing out games. It's a sad day for a lot of us.

posted by igottheblues at 3:49 PM CDT on June 24

When the sport was young,death at 38 was not uncommon.But today,tragic.

posted by sickleguy at 4:04 PM CDT on June 24

He was both colorful and effective, and that is a great combination to have in a closer. I remember him well when he was closing for Boston, and I really enjoyed watching. To have someone die at 38 is never pleasant. Far too soon, far too soon...

posted by Howard_T at 4:15 PM CDT on June 24

Submit him for a sad and somber Mustache Wednesday for Every Day Should be Saturday.

posted by Bonkers at 4:27 PM CDT on June 24

That sucks, and the part about personal demons puts a crappy spin on the stories from the RV.

posted by yerfatma at 4:49 PM CDT on June 24

That's a great story yerfatma.

posted by louisville_slugger at 5:09 PM CDT on June 24

Aw, man, just heartbreaking. My thoughts to his family and friends.

posted by Joey Michaels at 6:45 PM CDT on June 24

RIP Shooter. I'm keeping a good thought for his family. The BayArea will remember a tough competitor.

posted by calcynic at 9:57 PM CDT on June 24

I never liked Rod Beck because any team I root for, he'd come in and shut 'em down. It was almost automatic like most of us breathe, and quite frustrating for me. But upon hearing about his time on Earth cut short like it was, we're reminded again how limited our lives are, the loved ones he leaves behind, and the fact that baseball is merely a game.

RIP shooter. We'll miss you.

posted by NerfballPro at 12:58 AM CDT on June 25

I can remember when I was younger watching him too, igottheblues. After getting used to seeing him out there all those times closing the games, it was hard to get used to watching some of these skinny little closers with no fu man chu. Rod Beck just looked like you didn't want to swing at his pitches. That was one hell of a story yerfatma, thanks. RIP Mr. Beck.

posted by jojomfd1 at 1:12 AM CDT on June 25

I, too, will remember his time in Boston. I will never forget his awesome Hulkamaniac mustache or his equally awesome curly mullet. RIP Beck.

posted by jerseygirl at 9:44 AM CDT on June 25

I take some small comfort that he was home when he passed, and not thousands of miles away living in an RV behind a minor league ballpark. He always vaguely reminded me of one of my childhood baseball heroes, Al Hrabosky. Both of 'em just crazy as hell, with nasty stuff. A damn shame.

posted by The_Black_Hand at 10:07 AM CDT on June 25

Yeah, my dad was a fan of the mad Hungarian, so I think Rod Beck appealed to him as well. Must be something about that fired-up closer type that spoke to him of old school baseball. Although no actual old-timers can come to mind that were quite cut of the same cloth, I'm sure that his blue collar attitude was shared by players of the past.

Shut 'em down in Heaven, Shooter.

posted by THX-1138 at 12:35 PM CDT on June 25

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