Rod Beck (1968-2007)

The relief pitcher whose picture appeared in the dictionary next to the definition of mullet has died tragically at age 38 at his home in Arizona.

The Boston Globe reports that the cause of death is under investigation, so more details to follow.

Rod Beck pitched for the Red Sox from 1999-2001 and is most remembered (albeit unfairly) during that time for the home run he gave up to Bernie Williams in Game 1 of the 1999 ALCS. Ah, the Jimy Williams era in Boston. What a nightmare...

Beck had his best years with the SF Giants and one good season with the Cubs, helping them to the wild card in 1998.

Man knows not his time.

Surly Bonds of Baseball

The SF Giants came to Fenway Park for the first time since they were the NY Giants in 1912.

Dan Shaugnessy has some strong words on Barry Bonds here.

Bob Hohler has a longer article -- less vitriolic -- here. One of the people he interviews makes the interesting point that Bonds was a pretty good player (ie 3-time MVP) before he (allegedly) went on his steroid binge in the late 1990's.

In the view of this reporter, it's a shame that a supremely talented player has besmirched his image both by a lifelong surliness and then by the steroids. The former offense could be forgiven (after all, not everyone can be expected to be Cal Ripken). The latter, however, not only violates the integrity of the game, but -- as found in Hohler's article -- really was unnecessary. It's conceivable, at least, that Bonds could have approached Hank Aaron's HR record without the juice.

Meanwhile, the ever-creative Fenway Faithful greeted Bonds with signs distributed by WEEI saying "756*" (note the asterisk), and also displayed a bedsheet with an asterisk in the outfield.