in for the injured Trevor Hoffman. He converted 20 saves in 20 chances, while posting a 1.78 ERA. His statistics earned him the National League Comeback Player of the Year award. In 2004, Beck dealt with personal problems during Spring Training and struggled in a seventh inning role for the Padres. Beck was released by San Diego in August. Death On June 23, , Beck died alone at his home in Phoenix, Arizona. The Maricopa County medical examiner did not publicly disclose the cause of death and the Phoenix police did not suspect foul play. Beck's ex-wife stated she believed Beck's death to be drug related. Cocaine and heroin were found in his home and bedroom. Beck was buried in Phoenix wearing his Chicago Cubs uniform despite pitching only two seasons for the team. He was added to the ballot for the Baseball Hall of Fame, earlier than the typical retirement rule due to his death, and received two votes. See also List of unsolved deaths References External links ChicagoCubsOnline.com coverage at 2007 Cubs Convention Rod Beck at Baseballbiography.com 1968 births 2007 deaths Major League Baseball pitchers Baseball players from California San Francisco Giants players Chicago Cubs players Boston Red Sox players San Diego Padres players National League All-Stars Sportspeople from Burbank, California Baseball players from Phoenix, Arizona Medford A's players Clinton Giants players San Jose Giants players Shreveport Captains players Phoenix Firebirds players Iowa Cubs players Pawtucket Red Sox players Unsolved deaths in the United States