Jeff Reed was a professional baseball player who played as a catcher for several teams during his career. He was born on November 12, 1962, in Joliet, Illinois, and began his baseball career in 1984 when he was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 12th round of the MLB draft.
Reed made his debut in the major leagues in 1984 and played for the Twins until 1987. During his time with the Twins, he was known for his strong arm and defensive skills as a catcher. In 1987, he was traded to the Montreal Expos, where he played until 1990.
In 1991, Reed signed with the Cincinnati Reds, where he played for three seasons. During his time with the Reds, he was part of the team that won the National League Central Division in 1995. In 1994, he had his best season as a hitter, batting .311 with 10 home runs and 52 RBIs.
After leaving the Reds, Reed played for several teams, including the San Francisco Giants, Colorado Rockies, and Chicago Cubs. He was known for his ability to work well with pitchers and was often called upon to catch for the team's top starters.
Reed's career spanned 17 seasons, during which he played in 1,234 games and had a career batting average of .250. He hit 61 home runs and had 397 RBIs. He was also known for his durability, playing in over 100 games in nine seasons.
After retiring from baseball, Reed became a coach and worked with several minor league teams. He also worked as a scout for the Pittsburgh Pirates and was part of the team's scouting department when they drafted Andrew McCutchen in 2005.
Overall, Jeff Reed had a successful career as a catcher in the major leagues. He was known for his defensive skills, ability to work well with pitchers, and durability. While he was not a prolific hitter, he was a valuable asset to the teams he played for and was respected by his peers for his work ethic and professionalism.
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