As we approach mid-season, I’d like to do a special “Linked Up” this week. Today I will give out BDD mid-season link awards to the web sites that I just discovered this year, but have really become daily reads for me personally.

The sites are in no particular order. And remember, these are ones that are important to BDD, not necessarily the rest of the baseball community.

1)      Knucklecurve – Geoff Young of Ducksnorts is at it again, but this time he’s not just covering the Padres! Check out his blogging of the 2007 draft if you get a chance.

2)      River Ave. Blues – Yes it’s a Yankees site, but it’s still excellent J

3)      The Soul of Baseball – You’ll be hard pressed to find a better baseball writer than Joe Posnanski and even more hard pressed to find one as intelligent, humble and respectful of the game and its history as Joe P.

4)      The College Baseball Blog – Brian Foley and company do a great job keeping you up to date with all things college baseball. It should be a daily read for anyone interested in the boys with aluminum bats.

5)      Project Prospect – Adam Foster and his group of dedicated minor league baseball addicts have jumped on the scene and proven they can provide some excellent insight, commentary, and plenty of lists (we all love top minor league lists!).

6)      First Inning – The content isn’t completely new if you’ve been reading The Hardball Times, but it’s nice to have the minor league daily transactions and performances all in one place on a separate site each day.

7)      38 Pitches – Love him or hate him, Schilling’s blog is one of the most entertaining and insightful you’ll find from any professional baseball player.

8)      Balls, Sticks, and Stuff – Hardly new, I know, but I just started reading it regularly, and I have to say, it’s hard to stop!

9)      Purple Row – Again, not a new blog, but the Rockies member of SB Nation has really stepped it up this year. Great work!

10)  PG Crosschecker – Despite the fact that a subscription is required to access most of site, it is by far and away the most in-depth at providing evaluations for high school and college players.

Very sad news...Beck was only 38. Here's the statement from the Giants...

Peter A. Magowan, San Francisco Giants President and Managing General Partner, issued the following statement on yesterday’s passing of former Giants pitcher Rod Beck:

"Everyone in the Giants organization is deeply saddened by the loss of a dear friend.  Rod Beck was a true Giant in every sense of the word - from his dedication on the field to his selflessness away from the park.

"Today, our hearts go out to the Beck family.  Rod will be deeply missed. 

"When our partnership group took over the Giants in 1993, all of San Francisco was treated to a wonderful 103-win year; nobody who was a part of that will forget Rod’s 48 saves.  When we reached our dream of the playoffs in 1997, it was only fitting that Rod was on the mound for the final out that clinched the National League West.

"Beyond his contributions on the field, Rod will be forever remembered for his huge heart.  He was a community leader in the clubhouse and, along with his wife Stacey, always tried to enrich the lives of others."

Beck, originally acquired by San Francisco in a 1998 trade with Oakland, spent the first seven seasons of his Major League career with the Giants (1991-97), departing as the franchise’s all-time saves leader with 199 (since passed by Robb Nen).  The first San Francisco closer to crest the 40-save plateau, he logged four 30-save campaigns with the club.  In all, the right-hander went 21-28 with a 2.97 ERA in 416 relief appearances in a Giants uniform.

The man known as "Shooter" ended his career with 286 saves, which ranks 22nd on baseball’s all-time list.  He last pitched for San Diego in 2004, retiring with a lifetime 38-45 mark with a 3.30 ERA in 704 Major League relief appearances with the Giants (1991-97), Cubs (1998-99), Red Sox (1999-2001) and Padres (2003-04).