Rod Beck

The Shooter went from living in his motor home in the parking lot of Sec Taylor Stadium, home of the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, to perfection with the Padres, all in the space of the 2003 season. Signed by the team because of a rash of injuries to their bullpen, the closer went 20-for-20 in save opportunities, posting a 1.78 ERA and proving to all that you don't need a fastball that touches 85 mph to get outs. As a free agent, he surprisingly re-upped with the Padres this offseason. Beck, who is 14 saves shy of 300, was thought to have wanted a closer's role, something that isn't a possibility with the team because of the presence of Trevor Hoffman. Always a personality, he never seems to have an unkind word to say about anybody but himself, his team, the fans, and the media appreciate his presence in the clubhouse.