Former Closer Rod Beck Has Died

[TexanBob]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2914994

No details yet but this just broke on WGN. He was 38 years old.

[GonzoLays]

He was a baseball man through and through. The type of guy who would drink a beer with a fan and talk baseball for hours. MLB just lost one of the few good guys remaining.

RIP

[TexanBob]

He had one of the best quotes I've ever heard. When reporters would question him on his weight and conditioning he said "You never see anyone put on the DL with 'pulled fat'". I just hope a lack of conditioning didn't do him in. I had a co-worker die a few years ago at 39 from heart failure who didn't take care of himself.

[Clockwork Orange]

Damn, only 38.

RIP

[-Slap-]

Geez, that is sad news. He was a good guy and that's way too young to go.

[theAPAOps5]

Yeah he was out of shape. Hopefully its not another case of ephedra or something like that. Sad day for Baseball for sure.

EDIT:

Actually towards the end of his career he looks like he slimmed down some:

http://mlbplayers.mlb.com/images/2006/09/06/Prd5xjIf.jpg

Here is when he pitched with Boston:

http://www.cnnsi.com/baseball/mlb/1999/postseason/championship_series/alcs/news/1999/10/13/redsox_yankees_ap/lg_beck_ap_01.jpg

[Jens1893]

Loved the guy because of his beard.

[illbroncsfn]

RIP the shooter.....

One thing was for sure about Rod Beck, he always made the 9th inning interesting...

[Bronco LB 59]

He was a baseball man through and through. The type of guy who would drink a beer with a fan and talk baseball for hours. MLB just lost one of the few good guys remaining.

RIP

In the early part of 03, Beck camped his RV behind center field at the Des Moines ballpark where the Triple-A Iowa Cubs call home and invited fans and players to come join him for BBQ and brews after the games.

[Los Broncos]

In the early part of 03, Beck camped his RV behind center field at the Des Moines ballpark where the Triple-A Iowa Cubs call home and invited fans and players to come join him for BBQ and brews after the games.

What a down to earth guy. Very sad to see him go, rip big fella.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

RIP Mr. Beck. Here's to a great guy.

[Steve Sewell]

He was a baseball man through and through. The type of guy who would drink a beer with a fan and talk baseball for hours. MLB just lost one of the few good guys remaining.

RIP

I saw a piece made while he was pitching in the minors for San Diego late in his career. He lived in a motor home in the parking lot of the stadium, and invited fans over nearly every night after the game to have a few beers. One of the good guys. This is too bad.

[Steve Sewell]

In the early part of 03, Beck camped his RV behind center field at the Des Moines ballpark where the Triple-A Iowa Cubs call home and invited fans and players to come join him for BBQ and brews after the games.

LOL, I wrote the same thing didn't see someone had written this already.

[Smiling Assassin27]

I was saddened to hear this. RIP.