Dave Beard
Encyclopedia
Charles David Beard is a former right-handed pitcher
in Major League Baseball
for the Oakland Athletics
, Seattle Mariners
, Chicago Cubs
, and Detroit Tigers
from to .
Following his high school days at Sequoyah High School
in Doraville, Georgia
, Beard was drafted by the Athletics in the 6th round of the 1977 amateur draft. After two strong minor league seasons in three years, Beard was promoted to the Athletics and made his major league debut at age 20 on July 16, 1980, pitching the ninth inning of a loss to the Tigers. He appeared in twelve more games that season, all in relief, and earned one save and one loss on the season, posting a fine earned run average
of 3.38. The Athletics tended to use him in games they were losing; in fact, his team was on top only twice when he was summoned to the mound, and their only win in a game where Beard appeared was when he earned his lone save on August 1 against the Cleveland Indians
.
In 1981, Beard was called up to the big leagues when rosters expanded September 1, and he appeared in 8 games over the final month, collecting three more saves and his first big league win, which came in the first game of a doubleheader against the Toronto Blue Jays
on September 22, when he held Toronto scoreless for the final 5 1/3 innings of an extra-inning tilt. He made two postseason appearances with the playoff-bound A's. His first appearance was a 1 1/3-inning save to close out the Divisional Series against the Kansas City Royals
. However, his ALCS
appearance versus the New York Yankees
would be less successful; he allowed three earned runs in 2/3 innings in game 2 as the Yankees swept the A's out of the playoffs.
Still, Beard impressed enough to earn a roster spot for 1982, when he spent nearly the entire season in the big leagues for the first time, going 10-9 with 11 saves and a 3.44 ERA. However, injury hit in 1983, and Beard struggled to a 5.61 ERA and a 5-5 record while posting 10 more saves. After the season, Oakland parted ways with Beard, trading him to Seattle
with Bob Kearney
in exchange for Darrel Akerfelds
and Bill Caudill
.
With Seattle in 1984, Beard had injury issues again, with 37 days between big league appearances at one point during the season. He went 3-2 with only five saves and an even higher ERA of 5.80. They released him after spring training in 1985, but he was signed by Cleveland less than two weeks later. After 16 appearances with their AAA club in Maine, Cleveland shipped Beard to the Cubs organization in exchange for Tom Grant
. Maine posted a sparkling 0.56 ERA in 11 games for the Cubs' AAA team in Iowa, posting 2 wins and 3 saves, before being called up to the big leagues again when rosters expanded in September. He managed just a 6.39 ERA in 9 appearances and was released after the season.
The Atlanta Braves
signed Beard as a free agent in December 1985. He spent all of 1986 with their AAA team before again opting for free agency. Beard was completely out of baseball for 14 months before signing with the Tigers. He then spent all of 1988 and much of 1989 as a starting pitcher in Detroit's farm system, working his way back to the majors again. He made his first start since June 29, 1982 when the Tigers called him up for a July 18 game in the 1989 season. Unfortunately for Beard, four unearned runs scored early due to a Doug Strange
error, and his day didn't get much better. He took the loss in what would be his penultimate major league contest. His final appearance was three days later, and after allowing 2 runs in 1/3 inning, Beard found himself back in the minors. He was released after the 1989 season and subsequently retired.
Now he is married and has 2 kids.
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
for the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
, Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
, Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
, and Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
from to .
Following his high school days at Sequoyah High School
Sequoyah Middle School (Doraville, Georgia)
Seqouyah Middle School is a public middle school located in Doraville, Georgia, United States and part of the DeKalb County School System.It is a renowned school with high expectations for its students....
in Doraville, Georgia
Doraville, Georgia
Doraville is a city in DeKalb County, Georgia, United States, northeast of Atlanta. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 8,330.-History:Doraville was incorporated by an act of the Georgia General Assembly, approved December 15, 1871...
, Beard was drafted by the Athletics in the 6th round of the 1977 amateur draft. After two strong minor league seasons in three years, Beard was promoted to the Athletics and made his major league debut at age 20 on July 16, 1980, pitching the ninth inning of a loss to the Tigers. He appeared in twelve more games that season, all in relief, and earned one save and one loss on the season, posting a fine earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
of 3.38. The Athletics tended to use him in games they were losing; in fact, his team was on top only twice when he was summoned to the mound, and their only win in a game where Beard appeared was when he earned his lone save on August 1 against the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
.
In 1981, Beard was called up to the big leagues when rosters expanded September 1, and he appeared in 8 games over the final month, collecting three more saves and his first big league win, which came in the first game of a doubleheader against the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
on September 22, when he held Toronto scoreless for the final 5 1/3 innings of an extra-inning tilt. He made two postseason appearances with the playoff-bound A's. His first appearance was a 1 1/3-inning save to close out the Divisional Series against the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
. However, his ALCS
American League Championship Series
In Major League Baseball, the American League Championship Series , played in October, is a round in the postseason that determines the winner of the American League pennant...
appearance versus the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
would be less successful; he allowed three earned runs in 2/3 innings in game 2 as the Yankees swept the A's out of the playoffs.
Still, Beard impressed enough to earn a roster spot for 1982, when he spent nearly the entire season in the big leagues for the first time, going 10-9 with 11 saves and a 3.44 ERA. However, injury hit in 1983, and Beard struggled to a 5.61 ERA and a 5-5 record while posting 10 more saves. After the season, Oakland parted ways with Beard, trading him to Seattle
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
with Bob Kearney
Bob Kearney
Robert Henry Kearney , is a former American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the San Francisco Giants, Oakland Athletics, and Seattle Mariners from to ....
in exchange for Darrel Akerfelds
Darrel Akerfelds
Darrel Wayne Akerfelds is the current bullpen coach of Major League Baseball's San Diego Padres. He has held this position since...
and Bill Caudill
Bill Caudill
William Holland Caudill is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. One of the wackier players to play the game, Caudill was also one of baseball's top closers from to . Caudill is perhaps most notable for being agent Scott Boras' first client.-Early years:Caudill was drafted by the St...
.
With Seattle in 1984, Beard had injury issues again, with 37 days between big league appearances at one point during the season. He went 3-2 with only five saves and an even higher ERA of 5.80. They released him after spring training in 1985, but he was signed by Cleveland less than two weeks later. After 16 appearances with their AAA club in Maine, Cleveland shipped Beard to the Cubs organization in exchange for Tom Grant
Tom Grant
Tom Grant is a private investigator known for his involvement in high-profile cases involving celebrity clients. Grant owns and operates his own detective agency, The Grant Company....
. Maine posted a sparkling 0.56 ERA in 11 games for the Cubs' AAA team in Iowa, posting 2 wins and 3 saves, before being called up to the big leagues again when rosters expanded in September. He managed just a 6.39 ERA in 9 appearances and was released after the season.
The Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
signed Beard as a free agent in December 1985. He spent all of 1986 with their AAA team before again opting for free agency. Beard was completely out of baseball for 14 months before signing with the Tigers. He then spent all of 1988 and much of 1989 as a starting pitcher in Detroit's farm system, working his way back to the majors again. He made his first start since June 29, 1982 when the Tigers called him up for a July 18 game in the 1989 season. Unfortunately for Beard, four unearned runs scored early due to a Doug Strange
Doug Strange
Joseph Douglas Strange is a retired Major League Baseball infielder. He is an alumnus of North Carolina State University where he was a standout for the Wolfpack baseball program.Strange was born in Greenville, South Carolina...
error, and his day didn't get much better. He took the loss in what would be his penultimate major league contest. His final appearance was three days later, and after allowing 2 runs in 1/3 inning, Beard found himself back in the minors. He was released after the 1989 season and subsequently retired.
Now he is married and has 2 kids.