#38 RON REED
Right-handed Pitcher
What came before: The 6-foot-6 Reed was a rare two-sport professional, but basketball was his preference. He had a scholarship to Notre Dame and played for the Irish from 1962-65. But his senior year, he also pitched for the baseball team, which got scouts interested as well.
He signed with Braves in 1965 and got into seven games for West Palm Beach (3-2, 1.47). He was also drafted in the third round by the Detroit Pistons in 1965 and played in 57 games that year.
That 1966 season: If the Amazing Race had a bush league edition, it would resemble Reed's 1966 season.
It began in Kinston (Carolina), and he dominated: 5-2, 1.76 ERA.
Then, a move to Austin (Texas), and he made quick work of it: 3-1, 1.20 in four starts.
Richmond, in AAA, was next and he made himself right at home: 5-2, 3.52 in 14 games, 11 starts.
All told: 13-5, 2.57 in 26 games (21 starts) with 129 strikeouts in 168 innings.
But there was still time for a callup to Atlanta. Reed's MLB debut was Sept. 26 against Juan Marichal. Willie McCovey homered and Reed failed to last three innings – but he was a big leaguer.
His second start was six shutout innings and a win, giving him a 1-1, 2.16 debut.
What came next: Reed spent one more season with the Pistons, averaging a 8.5 points and 6.8 rebounds before announcing his retirement on Feb. 15, 1967. He scored 22 points in his final game. Ironically, his coach was Dave DeBusschere, who pitched in the major leagues but who chose the NBA over the Chicago White Sox.
A broken collarbone cost Reed over two months of his 1970 season after a terrific 18-10 season for the NL West champions in 1969.
Reed stayed with the Braves until midway through the 1975 season. He was the starter and winning pitcher the night Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth's record with his 715th home run.
He spent one year with St. Louis, eight with the Phillies and one with the White Sox before rbeing released at the end of 1985 spring training after 19 seasons and 751 MLB appearances. He had 146 wins and 103 saves.
