Signed as an undrafted free agent by San Francisco in 1988, Reed reached the big leagues with the Giants in August 1992. He was taken by the Rockies in the fourth-round of the expansion draft that November, and spent five seasons as a reliable bullpen workhouse for Colorado. Employing a sinking fastball, slider and changeup, the right-hander led the majors with 61 appearances during the strike-shortened 1994 season. Reed pitched in a career-high 71 games the next year, posting a 2.14 ERA while notching five wins and three saves. He left the Rockies as the franchise’s career leader in both games pitches (329) and ERA (3.68).
Reed returned to San Francisco for half a season in 1998, but was traded to Cleveland on July 23rd along with outfielder Jacob Cruz in exchange for pitchers Jose Mesa and Al Morman and infielder/outfielder Shawon Dunston. He struggled in his 25 games with Cleveland (6.66 ERA) after the trade, but picked up the win in the decisive Game Four of the Tribe’s Division Series triumph over the Boston Red Sox. Reed worked as a setup man for Cleveland the next two years (his 57 games pitched in 2000 broke a string of seven straight seasons with at least 60 appearances), but was traded to Atlanta along with fellow reliever Steve Karsay in June 2001 for southpaw John Rocker.
(AGL)
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FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»June 5, 1997: Larry Walker bangs two homers, including a two-run shot in the 11th inning, as Colorado belts visiting San Diego, 9–7. Walker has three hits to raise his average to .411 and Colorado has a team-record six double plays to help Steve Reed earn his 1st victory in relief.
»July 14, 1997:
Eric Karros' two-run homer off Steve Reed in the 10th gives the Dodgers a 14–12 slugfest win over the Rockies. Los Angeles has a season-high 22 hits, in winning its 10th of 11, while the Rockies lose for the 10th time in 11 games.
»July 23, 1998:
Following the Giants 2–11 mark since the All–Star break, San Francisco picks up Joe Carter from Baltimore and Jose Mesa, Al Morman, and Shawon Dunston from the Indians. The Giants send Steve Reed (1.48 ERA in 50 appearances) and minor leaguer Jacob Cruz to Cleveland, and Darin Blood to Baltimore. The Giants receive cash in both swaps.
»June 1, 1999: At Yankee Stadium, Roger Clemens and New York overpower the Indians, 11-5. Derek Jeter has two hits, three runs, and has now reached base in all 50 Yankee games (a record going back to 1961). Reliever Steve Reed plunks Jeter in the 8th, then Paul O'Neill hits 2-run home run.
»June 22, 2001:
The Braves send controversial P John Rocker and IF Troy Cameron to the Indians in exchange for pitchers Steve Karsay and Steve Reed.
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