Rick Reed (umpire) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rick Reed
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Reed in 2007
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| Born | March 3, 1950 |
| Died | July 16, 2020 (aged 70) Michigan, U.S.
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| Occupation | MLB umpire |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) |
Rick Alan Reed (born March 3, 1950 – died July 16, 2020) was an American umpire in Major League Baseball (MLB). Umpires are the officials who make sure the rules are followed during a baseball game.
Rick Reed started working for the American League in 1979. He continued to umpire in both the American and National Leagues from 2000 to 2009. In 1999, he became a "crew chief," which means he was in charge of the group of umpires working a game. His uniform number was 23.
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Rick Reed's Umpiring Career
Rick Reed's journey as a professional umpire began in 1973. He started in a league called the Appalachian League. While he was umpiring there, he also studied at Eastern Michigan University. He earned a degree in business administration.
Moving Up in Baseball
Reed slowly moved up through different baseball leagues. By 1978, he was umpiring in the International League. He worked his very first Major League Baseball game in 1979. This happened during a time when some umpires were on strike.
After the strike ended, he went back to the International League for a short time. From 1980 to 1982, he worked as a substitute umpire in the American League. Finally, in 1983, he earned a full-time spot on the American League umpiring staff.
Important Games and Series
Rick Reed was chosen to umpire in many important baseball games. He worked in seven different postseasons, which are the playoff games after the regular season.
- He was part of the umpiring crew for the 1991 World Series. This is the championship series of Major League Baseball.
- He also worked in the American League Championship Series three times: in 1989, 1995, and 1999. He was the crew chief for the 1999 series.
- Reed also umpired in the Division Series in 1997, 2000, and 2001.
- He was selected to umpire in the Major League Baseball All-Star Game twice, in 1986 and 1998. The All-Star Game is a special game where the best players from each league play against each other.
Memorable Moments on the Field
Rick Reed was involved in several historic baseball moments.
- In 2000, he was the home plate umpire for the very first game played at Comerica Park. This is the home stadium for the Detroit Tigers.
- On September 29, 2004, Reed was the home plate umpire for the last home game of the Montreal Expos. The Expos were a team that later moved and became the Washington Nationals.
- On August 22, 2007, he was the home plate umpire when the Texas Rangers scored 30 runs against the Baltimore Orioles. This set a new record for the most runs scored by an American League team in one game.
Beyond the Baseball Field
Outside of umpiring, Rick Reed also had a small acting career. He appeared as an umpire in the movie For Love of the Game. This film starred actor Kevin Costner.
Rick Reed passed away on July 16, 2020, at the age of 70. After facing some health challenges later in his career, he continued to work for Major League Baseball as an observer of umpires in Detroit.
