Sad Passing of a Former Giant

I find it always a little jarring when former professional athletes die quite young - especially ones I grew up watching. With his beer belly, flowing hair, and curling mustache, Rod Beck wasn't exactly the image of your typical athlete. It was his image, however, and quite a memorable one. I watched him close out games for the Giants for five of my most loyal years as a fan. Beck first came to prominence on the 1993 Giants team that won 103 games. While struggling mid-1990's Giants teams gave him few save opportunities, he returned to form in 1997, when the Giants won the Western Division title. My fondest Beck memory comes from that season during a crucial late September game against the Dodgers. Beck really held the Giant's fate in his hands pitching in the tenth inning with the bases loaded, nobody out, and fans calling for his exit. A strikeout and a double play later, the crisis was averted - and Beck followed that with two more shutout innings. A week later, he was on the mound when we clinched the division.

Beck was just 38 at the time of his death, and the cause is not yet known. His look and style made him a unique character for his time on the Giants and certainly one I will not forget anytime soon. Being a closer is quite possibly the most challenging of baseball duties - for not only does the team live and die with you, but your every fault is magnified in fan's eyes. Beck certainly took his share of boos but handled it with absolute professionalism, ultimately letting his pitching speak for itself.