Jeff Reardon
Encyclopedia
Jeffrey James Reardon nicknamed "The Terminator" for his intimidating presence on the mound and 98 mph fastball, is a former professional baseball
relief pitcher
from 1979-1994 who played for the New York Mets
, Montreal Expos
, Minnesota Twins
, and Boston Red Sox
, Atlanta Braves
, Cincinnati Reds
, and New York Yankees
.
In 1992, he became the all-time saves
leader in Major League Baseball with 342, breaking Rollie Fingers
' previous record of 341. Reardon's record was broken the following season by Lee Smith
. He currently ranks 7th on the All-Time Saves List with 367.
After playing college baseball
for the University of Massachusetts Amherst
, Reardon went undrafted and signed a minor league
contract with the New York Mets
in 1977 and was assigned to the Lynchburg Mets in the Single-A Carolina League
. Although undrafted, Reardon quickly made his way through the Mets' farm system, compiling a 30-9 record with a 2.68 ERA and 6 saves in 74 games combined between Lynchburg, Jackson
in 1978, and Tidewater in 1979.
Reardon made his Major League debut with the Mets on 25 August 1979 and would stay in the majors for the rest of his career. He pitched for the Mets until mid-way through the 1981 season, working mostly as a middle reliever, when he was traded to the Montreal Expos along with outfielder Dan Norman
for Ellis Valentine
. Lacking a reliable closer on the big league staff, the Expos would immediately turn Reardon lose in the 9th inning and he responded by saving 146 games from 1982 and 1986. During his time in Montreal, Reardon was named to the All-Star team twice (1985–1986), and led the majors in saves during the 1985 season, earning the Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award.
Prior to the start of the 1987 season, Reardon was again traded, this time to the Minnesota Twins along with catcher Tom Nieto
, for pitchers Neal Heaton
, Yorkis Pérez
, and Alfredo Cardwood and catcher Jeff Reed. Although his performance dropped as compared to his previous five seasons, the trade would immediately pay dividends for the team as he would help the Twins win the 1987 World Series
. The next season he reverted to form, was named to his third All-Star team, and became the first pitcher in Major League Baseball history to have 40-save seasons in both the American and National Leagues. After another good season in 1989, Reardon became a free agent and signed with the Boston Red Sox on 6 December. In honor of Reardon's signing, his birthplace of Dalton, Massachusetts
, named its athletic field after him. After saving "only" 21 games for the Red Sox in 1990, Reardon would be named to his fourth and final All-Star team in 1991 after another 40 save season. Reardon would break Rollie Fingers' all-time saves record in 1992 with his 342nd save. Later that season, he was traded to the Atlanta Braves, for starting pitcher Nate Minchey
and minor league outfielder Sean Ross, where he pitched in his second World Series. However the results would not be similar to 1987 as he was responsible for two of Atlanta's four losses versus Toronto
, blowing a save in Game 2 and giving up the winning hit in Game 3.
Following the 1992 season, Reardon would again be a free agent and signed with the Cincinnati Reds, however his days of closing were over as he would work as the setup man to Rob Dibble
. Reardon finished the 1993 season with his highest ERA (4.09) since 1987 and his fewest saves (8) since 1981. Granted free agency, Reardon would sign with the New York Yankees on 15 February 1994. Although he went north with the team, the writing was on the wall and Reardon would retire on 4 May 1994 after compiling an 8.38 ERA while allowing 17 hits over 9 2/3 innings in 11 games. After his 16 year career, Reardon would retire second on the all time saves list (to Lee Smith), finish with more saves (367) than walks (358), and was the only reliever to have more than 20 saves every year from 1982 to 1988.
On 21 February 2004, Reardon learned that son Shane, who had long struggled with drugs and had been sent to the Academy at Swift River
, a therapeutic boarding school in Massachusetts, for his senior year in high school, had died of a drug overdose at the age of 20. Following this, Reardon spiraled down into depression, even trying to take his life, before seeking psychiatric help. Following a one week stay in a clinic, Reardon was prescribed for half a dozen antidepressant
and antipsychotic
medications. Then just before Christmas of 2005, Reardon would be diagnosed with a blocked artery in his heart which required the insertion of a heart stent, the second that Reardon had needed. Following surgery, Reardon developed a urinary-tract infection, requiring more medications. By this time, he would be on over a dozen separate prescriptions, one of which was Levaquin, which is known to have side effects such as paranoia, anxiety and depression - further exacerbating his pre-existing conditions.
On December 26, 2005, Reardon was taken into custody and charged by the Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
Police Department for allegedly committing armed robbery at a Hamilton Jewelers store at the Gardens Mall
. Reardon attributed his actions to the influence of the medications that he had been taking since his son died. Soon after the episode at the mall and his release from an overnight stay in jail, Reardon returned to a psychiatric facility, and was an inpatient for nearly two months. His doctors drastically reduced his medications and began to administer electroshock treatments. However Reardon still had to stand trial.
Reardon would eventually be found not guilty of the charges by reason of drug-induced insanity. The judge ruled that because Reardon had been taking anti-depressants and mood stabilizers, and was distraught over his son's death, there was no reasonable explanation for the robbery. In addition, Reardon was not required to be committed after the ruling.
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
relief pitcher
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
from 1979-1994 who played for the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
, Montreal Expos
Montreal Expos
The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
, Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
, and Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
, Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
, Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
, and New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
.
In 1992, he became the all-time saves
Save (sport)
In baseball, a save is credited to a pitcher who finishes a game for the winning team under certain prescribed circumstances. The number of saves, or percentage of save opportunities successfully converted, is an oft-cited statistic of relief pitchers...
leader in Major League Baseball with 342, breaking Rollie Fingers
Rollie Fingers
Roland Glen Fingers is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. During his 18-year baseball career, he pitched for the Oakland Athletics , San Diego Padres and Milwaukee Brewers . He became only the second reliever to be elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1992...
' previous record of 341. Reardon's record was broken the following season by Lee Smith
Lee Smith (baseball)
Lee Arthur Smith is an American right-handed former baseball pitcher who played 18 years in Major League Baseball for eight teams. Pitching primarily for the Chicago Cubs, with whom he spent his first eight seasons, Lee served mostly as a relief pitcher during his career...
. He currently ranks 7th on the All-Time Saves List with 367.
Career
Out of high school, Reardon was drafted by the Montreal Expos in the 23rd round of the 1973 amateur draft, but did not sign.After playing college baseball
College baseball
College baseball is baseball that is played on the intercollegiate level at institutions of higher education. Compared to football and basketball, college competition in the United States plays a less significant contribution to cultivating professional players, as the minor leagues primarily...
for the University of Massachusetts Amherst
University of Massachusetts Amherst
The University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public research and land-grant university in Amherst, Massachusetts, United States and the flagship of the University of Massachusetts system...
, Reardon went undrafted and signed a minor league
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
contract with the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
in 1977 and was assigned to the Lynchburg Mets in the Single-A Carolina League
Carolina League
The Carolina League is a minor league baseball affiliation which operates in the South Atlantic Coast of the United States. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth...
. Although undrafted, Reardon quickly made his way through the Mets' farm system, compiling a 30-9 record with a 2.68 ERA and 6 saves in 74 games combined between Lynchburg, Jackson
Jackson Mets
The Jackson Mets were a professional baseball team based in Jackson, Mississippi, from 1975 through 1990. As of 2010, they are the longest-tenured club to be based in the Jackson metropolitan area...
in 1978, and Tidewater in 1979.
Reardon made his Major League debut with the Mets on 25 August 1979 and would stay in the majors for the rest of his career. He pitched for the Mets until mid-way through the 1981 season, working mostly as a middle reliever, when he was traded to the Montreal Expos along with outfielder Dan Norman
Dan Norman
Daniel Edmund Norman is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Mets and Montreal Expos...
for Ellis Valentine
Ellis Valentine
Ellis Clarence Valentine is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball. He was drafted by the Montreal Expos in 1972; playing for the Expos, he was elected a National League All-Star in 1977 and received a Gold Glove Award in 1978...
. Lacking a reliable closer on the big league staff, the Expos would immediately turn Reardon lose in the 9th inning and he responded by saving 146 games from 1982 and 1986. During his time in Montreal, Reardon was named to the All-Star team twice (1985–1986), and led the majors in saves during the 1985 season, earning the Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award.
Prior to the start of the 1987 season, Reardon was again traded, this time to the Minnesota Twins along with catcher Tom Nieto
Tom Nieto
Thomas Andrew Nieto is a former Major League Baseball catcher and former manager of the Rochester Red Wings, the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. Nieto previously served as the New York Mets' bench coach and catching instructor. A native of Downey, California, Nieto attended Oral Roberts...
, for pitchers Neal Heaton
Neal Heaton
Neal Heaton is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher who played for the Cleveland Indians, Minnesota Twins, Montreal Expos, Pittsburgh Pirates, Kansas City Royals, Milwaukee Brewers, and New York Yankees from 1982 to 1993.Heaton was drafted by the Indians in the 2nd round of the 1981...
, Yorkis Pérez
Yorkis Pérez
Yorkis Miguel Vargas Pérez is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. The left-hander appeared in 337 games over nine seasons for the Chicago Cubs, Florida Marlins, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, Houston Astros and Baltimore Orioles, all as a relief pitcher...
, and Alfredo Cardwood and catcher Jeff Reed. Although his performance dropped as compared to his previous five seasons, the trade would immediately pay dividends for the team as he would help the Twins win the 1987 World Series
1987 World Series
The 1987 World Series pitted the Minnesota Twins versus the St. Louis Cardinals.Minnesota was victorious in a World Series that was the first in which the home team won every game...
. The next season he reverted to form, was named to his third All-Star team, and became the first pitcher in Major League Baseball history to have 40-save seasons in both the American and National Leagues. After another good season in 1989, Reardon became a free agent and signed with the Boston Red Sox on 6 December. In honor of Reardon's signing, his birthplace of Dalton, Massachusetts
Dalton, Massachusetts
Dalton is a town in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, United States. Dalton is the transition town between the urban and rural pieces of Berkshire County, Massachusetts. It is part of the Pittsfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 6,892 at the 2000 census.- History...
, named its athletic field after him. After saving "only" 21 games for the Red Sox in 1990, Reardon would be named to his fourth and final All-Star team in 1991 after another 40 save season. Reardon would break Rollie Fingers' all-time saves record in 1992 with his 342nd save. Later that season, he was traded to the Atlanta Braves, for starting pitcher Nate Minchey
Nate Minchey
Nathan Derek Minchey is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball who played from 1993 through 1997 for the Boston Red Sox and Colorado Rockies...
and minor league outfielder Sean Ross, where he pitched in his second World Series. However the results would not be similar to 1987 as he was responsible for two of Atlanta's four losses versus Toronto
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
, blowing a save in Game 2 and giving up the winning hit in Game 3.
Following the 1992 season, Reardon would again be a free agent and signed with the Cincinnati Reds, however his days of closing were over as he would work as the setup man to Rob Dibble
Rob Dibble
Robert Keith Dibble is a former Major League Baseball pitcher and television analyst.-Personal life:Dibble is a graduate of Southington High School in Southington, Connecticut...
. Reardon finished the 1993 season with his highest ERA (4.09) since 1987 and his fewest saves (8) since 1981. Granted free agency, Reardon would sign with the New York Yankees on 15 February 1994. Although he went north with the team, the writing was on the wall and Reardon would retire on 4 May 1994 after compiling an 8.38 ERA while allowing 17 hits over 9 2/3 innings in 11 games. After his 16 year career, Reardon would retire second on the all time saves list (to Lee Smith), finish with more saves (367) than walks (358), and was the only reliever to have more than 20 saves every year from 1982 to 1988.
Post career
After the end of his career, Reardon retired to Palm Beach Gardens, FL with his wife Phebe and three children Jay, Shane, and Kristi, turning down offers to coach in order to spend time with his family. Other than appearing as a corporate sponsor and speaker for Lerner Sports Marketing, Reardon's retirement was uneventful.On 21 February 2004, Reardon learned that son Shane, who had long struggled with drugs and had been sent to the Academy at Swift River
Academy at Swift River
Academy at Swift River, also known as ASR, is a coeducational therapeutic boarding school for teenagers, located in Cummington, Massachusetts. Established in 1997, it is a part of the Aspen Education Group....
, a therapeutic boarding school in Massachusetts, for his senior year in high school, had died of a drug overdose at the age of 20. Following this, Reardon spiraled down into depression, even trying to take his life, before seeking psychiatric help. Following a one week stay in a clinic, Reardon was prescribed for half a dozen antidepressant
Antidepressant
An antidepressant is a psychiatric medication used to alleviate mood disorders, such as major depression and dysthymia and anxiety disorders such as social anxiety disorder. According to Gelder, Mayou &*Geddes people with a depressive illness will experience a therapeutic effect to their mood;...
and antipsychotic
Antipsychotic
An antipsychotic is a tranquilizing psychiatric medication primarily used to manage psychosis , particularly in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. A first generation of antipsychotics, known as typical antipsychotics, was discovered in the 1950s...
medications. Then just before Christmas of 2005, Reardon would be diagnosed with a blocked artery in his heart which required the insertion of a heart stent, the second that Reardon had needed. Following surgery, Reardon developed a urinary-tract infection, requiring more medications. By this time, he would be on over a dozen separate prescriptions, one of which was Levaquin, which is known to have side effects such as paranoia, anxiety and depression - further exacerbating his pre-existing conditions.
On December 26, 2005, Reardon was taken into custody and charged by the Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
Palm Beach Gardens is a city in Palm Beach County in the U.S. state of Florida. The city is in the center of a rapidly-developing area north of West Palm Beach in the northern part of the county and the South Florida metropolitan area. , the population was 48,452...
Police Department for allegedly committing armed robbery at a Hamilton Jewelers store at the Gardens Mall
The Gardens Mall
The Gardens Mall is an upscale, two-story, enclosed shopping mall in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Its anchors are Macy's, Sears, Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom, and Saks Fifth Avenue, and it features more than 160 specialty shops and restaurants.-Current:...
. Reardon attributed his actions to the influence of the medications that he had been taking since his son died. Soon after the episode at the mall and his release from an overnight stay in jail, Reardon returned to a psychiatric facility, and was an inpatient for nearly two months. His doctors drastically reduced his medications and began to administer electroshock treatments. However Reardon still had to stand trial.
Reardon would eventually be found not guilty of the charges by reason of drug-induced insanity. The judge ruled that because Reardon had been taking anti-depressants and mood stabilizers, and was distraught over his son's death, there was no reasonable explanation for the robbery. In addition, Reardon was not required to be committed after the ruling.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball saves champions
- List of Major League Baseball all-time saves leaders
- Games finishedGames finishedIn baseball statistics, a relief pitcher is credited with a game finished if he is the last pitcher to pitch for his team in a game. A starting pitcher is not credited with a GF for pitching a complete game...