Quick Facts
Biography
Rick Alan Reed (born March 3, 1950) is a former umpire in Major League Baseball. He joined the American League staff in 1979, and worked throughout both major leagues from 2000 to 2009. He was named a crew chief in 1999. Reed wore uniform number 23.
His professional umpiring career began in the Appalachian League in 1973. Reed earned a B.A. in business administration from Eastern Michigan University while umpiring in the Appalachian League. He advanced through the minors to the International League for the 1978 season. He worked his first major league game toward the end of the umpire's strike in 1979. He returned to the International League when it ended. From 1980 to 1982, Reed was a substitute umpire in the AL. He earned a permanent spot on the AL staff in 1983.
He worked in 7 postseasons, including the 1991 World Series; the American League Championship Series in 1989, 1995, and 1999 (serving as crew chief); and the Division Series in 1997, 2000, and 2001. He worked the All-Star Game in 1986 and 1998. He became a crew chief in 1999.
On August 22, 2007, Reed was the home plate umpire when the Texas Rangers set the American League record for most runs scored in a game with 30 against the Baltimore Orioles.
Reed is a part-time actor in the offseason, including an appearance as the umpire in For Love of the Game starring Kevin Costner.