Jeff Reardon was a professional baseball player who played as a relief pitcher for various teams in the Major League Baseball (MLB). He was born on October 1, 1955, in Massachusetts, USA. Reardon started his baseball career in 1977 when he was drafted by the Montreal Expos. He made his debut in the MLB in 1979 and played for the Expos until 1981.
In 1982, Reardon was traded to the Minnesota Twins, where he played for five seasons. During his time with the Twins, Reardon established himself as one of the best relief pitchers in the league. He was named an All-Star in 1985 and 1987 and won the Rolaids Relief Man Award in 1985 and 1987.
In 1987, Reardon helped the Twins win the World Series, pitching in three games and earning a save in the decisive Game 7. He continued to play for the Twins until 1989 when he was traded to the Atlanta Braves. Reardon played for the Braves for two seasons before being traded to the Boston Red Sox in 1992.
Reardon played for the Red Sox for two seasons before being traded to the Cincinnati Reds in 1994. However, the 1994 season was cut short due to a players' strike, and Reardon was released by the Reds at the end of the season. He retired from baseball in 1994 with a career record of 367 saves, which was the second-highest total in MLB history at the time.
Reardon was known for his fastball and his ability to pitch in high-pressure situations. He was a four-time All-Star and won the Rolaids Relief Man Award three times. He also holds the record for the most saves in a single season by a pitcher over the age of 35, with 41 saves in 1992.
After retiring from baseball, Reardon struggled with depression and alcoholism. In 2004, he was arrested for robbing a jewelry store in Florida, and he later admitted to struggling with addiction and mental health issues. He received treatment and was able to turn his life around, becoming an advocate for mental health awareness.
In 2012, Reardon's son, Shane, died of an accidental overdose. Reardon and his wife started the Shane Reardon Memorial Fund to raise awareness about addiction and mental health issues. Reardon continues to be involved in the baseball community, participating in charity events and coaching youth teams.
In conclusion, Jeff Reardon was a successful relief pitcher in the MLB, known for his fastball and ability to pitch in high-pressure situations. He played for various teams throughout his career, including the Montreal Expos, Minnesota Twins, Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, and Cincinnati Reds. Reardon retired from baseball in 1994 with a career record of 367 saves, which was the second-highest total in MLB history at the time. He struggled with addiction and mental health issues after retiring but was able to turn his life around and become an advocate for mental health awareness.
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