Beans Reardon
| Birthdate | 11/23/1897 |
| Death Date | 7/31/1984 |
| Debut Year | 1926 |
| Year of Induction | |
| Teams | National League |
| Position | Umpire |
Beans Reardon was the central figure in Norman Rockwell’s “Bottom of the Sixth”. He umped 5 World Series and 3 All Star games from 1926-49.
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Beans Reardon's Association of Professional Ball Players of America Lifetime Pass
Beans Reardon's Association of Professional Ball Players of America Lifetime Pass
One of baseball’s most colorful umpires, John Edward “Beans” Reardon acquired his nickname because he was raised in Boston. Famous for his salty language and heavy beer drinking, Reardon started umpiring professionally in the PCL in 1920. Six years later he was working in the big leagues.
During his time in the National League from 1926-1949 he officiated 3,515 regular seasons games, five World Series, and three All Star games.
In the collection is Reardon’s Association of Professional Ball Players lifetime pass. Such passes generally remain in the family even after the holder’s death.
Though Reardon spent his entire career in the NL, he had two notable interactions with Babe Ruth. Reardon was behind the plate for the Sultan of Swat’s “last hurrah” on May 25, 1935, when the Bambino, then with the Boston Braves, hit his final three home runs in a game at Pittsburgh. The Babe played in only five more games. Three seasons later Reardon ejected Ruth, then a first-base coach with the Dodgers.
Fans of both baseball and art know Reardon best as the home plate umpire in Norman Rockwell’s famous baseball painting, “Tough Call”.
Beans Reardon was a charter member of the Anaheim Stadium Club in 1966; here's his pass
Beans Reardon was a charter member of the Anaheim Stadium Club in 1966; here's his pass
When Gene Autry opened the doors to Anaheim Stadium in 1966, it was jewel. The stadium club was the most exclusive of venues, a private club for box holders.
An Angels’ 1966 publication said the club has, “an atmosphere will tickle your sense of appreciation for the better things of life, and will be second to none for the special evening with that special lady”.
In the collection is Beans Reardon’s pass for the Anaheim Stadium Club issued to him as a charter member in the stadium’s inaugural season of 1966.
Reardon frequently sat in the front row of the stadium with his wife Eugenia. The pair enjoyed many an evening in the Anaheim Stadium Club. After Beans’ death, Eugenia continued to attend the games and root for the Angels.
J. E. "Beans" Reardon's So. Calif. Umpires Assn. Honorary Life Member card
J. E. "Beans" Reardon's So. Calif. Umpires Assn. Honorary Life Member card
In the collection is this honorary life member card issued to J.E. “Beans” Reardon by the So. Calif. Umpires Assn. The umpire in chief of the association whose name appears at the bottom is former 1940s Pacific Coast League umpire Dewey Widner.
In the center of the card is an indicator that shows the count at 3 balls and two strikes.
Beans Reardon's Edmonton Old Timers Baseball Association membership card
Beans Reardon's Edmonton Old Timers Baseball Association membership card
The image above shows John “Beans” Reardon’s membership card for the Edmonton Old Timers Baseball Association. Interestingly it is signed by John Dusey who is a member of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame. Nicknamed “Mr. Baseball”, Dusey was a player, umpire and administrator in Alberta for more than 60 years.
One of the Canadian Hall of Fame’s inaugural inductees, Ducey umpired professional and amateur contests from 1931 to 1945 and named Edmonton’s Sportsman of the Year in both 1954 and 1957.
In large part because of his prominent role with the Edmonton Oldtimers Baseball Association, the Edmonton Trappers (Triple A club) posthumously renamed their ballpark in his honor.
United Air Lines Million Miler membership card issued to Beans Reardon in 1949
United Air Lines Million Miler membership card issued to Beans Reardon in 1949
To amass a million miles, one would have to drive around the earth 40 times. Beans Reardon accomplished the feat in the air with United Airlines.
This United Air Lines’ membership card was issued to John E. Reardon in 1949, only 18 years after Boeing Air Transport, National Air Transport, Varney Airlines and Pacific Air Transport combined to form United Air Lines.
Reardon was undoubtedly a prolific flier on the airline in the infancy of commercial air travel.
I have been known as “Beans” since I was in grade school just outside of Boston about 70 years ago. I had learned a bit about “Beans” and have seen his obituary when he passed, but this page provided much more information about him. I have also run into some other Bostonian Reardons that also are known as Beans. Thanks for the info.
My mother was the cousin of Beans from Taunton.