It may have been the longest trip in from the bullpen in the history of baseball. He had never been to Boston, let alone Fenway Park, but when reliever Rod Beck came over to the Red Sox in a trade with the National League's Chicago Cubs in the middle of the '99 stretch drive, the long-haired, mustachioed right-hander was immediately pressed into action. Arriving at Fenway after a six-hour flight from California followed by a stressful 40-minute cab ride from the airport, the Sox's brand new closer had scarcely located the bullpen when he was called in against the Kansas City Royals in the ninth inning.

"The Red Sox fans gave him a great ovation," said Nomar Garciaparra. "I mean, he was with the Cubs-in the other league-but they still knew how good he is, and they give him a great reception. It just shows how knowledgeable Boston fans are." First baseman Mike Stanley literally had to introduce himself to Beck during the meeting at the mound: "How you doing, Rod? Welcome to the Red Sox. I'm Mike Stanley, and I'll be your first baseman today. " Catcher Jason Varitek extended his hand in greeting. "Hi, I'm Jason Varitek," he said. "What do ya got?"

Despite his long trip, Beck's first outing was successful. He threw eleven pitches and recorded his first save for the Red Sox. "I'd never met him either," recalls Garciaparra, "but I figured I'd introduce myself after the game." In his initial eight appearances in a Sox uniform he was almost untouchable, allowing just four hits in his first 10 pressure-packed innings of work.

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