The baseball world has lost one of its more interesting personalities, as former San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox and San Diego Padres pitcher Rod Beck has been found dead at his home in Arizona.

The first reports stated a “prominent Valley figure” had died, but ESPNEWS is confirming that it was Rod Beck. Beck played for the hometown Phoenix Firebirds on his way up to the Majors, where I had the opportunity to see him pitch.

He saved 286 games during his major league career, which lasted from 1991-2004. Following elbow surgery in 2002, many thought his career was over, but he resurrected and eventually made it back to the Majors with San Diego after a successful stint in the Minors where he lived in an RV outside the Iowa ballpark.

So far, no cause of death has been given, but police say foul play is not suspected. More details to follow as we have them.

Source: (AZ Central & ESPN)

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