got into trouble immediately by giving up consecutive singles to Mike Piazza, Eric Karros, and Raúl Mondesí. 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." 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, would go on to win the Western Division crown. 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. Beck set a career high in saves in 1998, his first season with the Cubs, converting 51 of 58 chances. 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, who turned out to be Cole Liniak. 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) and was not as good in his two full seasons with the team as he had been in the past. After the 2001 season, Beck had Tommy John surgery and missed the 2002 season. Beck to the Minors Beck successfully recovered from Tommy John surgery and, as a free agent, was signed by the Cubs in January 2003. 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. This time he did not play in the majors for the Cubs, and they released him in May 2003. San Diego Padres Immediately after leaving the Cubs in 2003, Beck returned to the Major Leagues with the Padres to fill