Beck made his Major League debut on May 6, 1991,[2] against the Montreal Expos. His performance was forgettable (2.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER),[6] but his season numbers were more impressive. He had a 3.78 ERA, pitched 52+1⁄3 innings in 31 games, and struck out 38 while walking 13.[2] In 1992, Beck took over as the regular closer from Dave Righetti and posted a record of 3–3 with 17 saves and a 1.76 ERA. He pitched 92 innings over 65 games and struck out 87 while walking only 15.[7] In 1993 he recorded 48 saves, including 24 consecutive. At the time, both marks were Giants franchise records.[8] Beck found success using a sinker, slider, and splitter.[9]
September 18, 1997
On September 17 and 18, 1997, the Los Angeles Dodgers came to San Francisco to play a two-game series at Candlestick Park.[10] The Dodgers were leading the National League West with a record of 84–67. The Giants were in 2nd place with a record of 82–69; 2 games behind.[11] The Giants won the first game 2–1 behind lefty Kirk Rueter. In that contest, Barry Bonds hit a two-run homer in the first inning for the Giants, while Raúl Mondesí hit a solo shot in the fifth for the Dodgers. Beck did not pitch in the game.[12]
On September 18, he came into the game in the top of the 10th with the score tied 5–5.[13] As the season had progressed, Beck had lost his closer's job to Roberto Hernández.[14] In fact, Beck had blown a save three days earlier in Atlanta while trying to close that game. He had given up 4 earned runs in just 2⁄3 of an inning.[15] Beck got into trouble immediately by giving up consecutive singles to Mike Piazza, Eric Karros, and Raúl Mondesí.[16] With the bases loaded, nobody out and the crowd booing loudly, manager Dusty Baker came out to talk to Beck, who was obviously struggling. Baker told Beck, "You're the guy."[17]
Baker left Beck in, and Beck proceeded to strike out Todd Zeile looking at an inside-corner fastball. When he got pinch hitter Eddie Murray to bounce a splitter into an inning-ending double play, the crowd of 52,188 went crazy. Two innings later, Giants reserve catcher Brian Johnson led off with a home run to left field, giving Beck a 6–5 win. The Giants, now tied with the Dodgers for the division lead,[13] would go on to win the Western Division crown.[14]
Chicago Cubs
After the 1997 season, the Giants felt Beck's best years were behind him, and allowed him to leave as a free agent to sign with the Chicago Cubs, replacing him with Robb Nen.[18] Beck set a career high in saves in 1998, his first season with the Cubs, converting 51 of 58 chances.[2] However, in the 1999 season, Beck battled injury, and was traded by Chicago to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for reliever Mark Guthrie and a player to be named later,[19] who turned out to be Cole Liniak.[20]
Boston Red Sox
Beck pitched well for the surging Red Sox, although he struggled in the postseason, giving up a Bernie Williams walk-off home run in Game One of the 1999 ALCS.[21] Beck was not as good in his two full seasons with the team as he had been in the past.[2] After the 2001 season, Beck had Tommy John surgery and missed the 2002 season.[22]
Beck to the Minors
Beck successfully recovered from Tommy John surgery and, as a free agent, was signed by the Cubs in January 2003.[22] While pitching for the team's AAA affiliate Iowa Cubs during his comeback, Beck gained national attention for living in a motor home behind the team's Sec Taylor Stadium (now Principal Park) in Des Moines. Beck warmly welcomed fans to drop by and visit, signed autographs and offered free beer.[23] This time he did not play in the majors for the Cubs, and they released him in May 2003.[2]
San Diego Padres
Immediately after leaving the Cubs in 2003, Beck returned to the Major Leagues with the Padres[2] to fill in for the injured Trevor Hoffman.[24] He converted 20 saves in 20 chances, while posting a 1.78 ERA.[2] His statistics earned him the National League Comeback Player of the Year award.[25] In 2004, Beck dealt with personal problems during Spring Training[26] and struggled in a seventh inning role for the Padres. Beck was released by San Diego in August.[2]
Death
On June 23, 2007, Beck died at his home in Phoenix, Arizona.[1][27] The Maricopa County medical examiner did not publicly disclose the cause of death and the Phoenix police did not suspect foul play.[1] Beck's ex-wife stated she believed his death to be drug-related.[28]Cocaine and heroin were found in his home and bedroom.[29]
Beck was buried in Phoenix wearing his Chicago Cubs uniform.[30] He was added to the 2008 ballot for the Baseball Hall of Fame, earlier than the typical retirement rule due to his death,[31] and received two votes.[32]
^Schulman, Henry (September 19, 1997). "Sweeping Giants wake". The San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on July 26, 2009. Retrieved May 4, 2009.
