A Dallas native who pitched for the University of Texas, Reed swung between starting and relieving in ten big league seasons with the Athletics, Dodgers, Angels, Astros and Expos. He was picked up by the Astros after the 1966 season and was purchased by Montreal for the 1969 season but, in between, Reed appeared in just four games with Houston. He was 1-1 in 18-1/3rd innings for the Astros in 1967.

Reed's career year was 1965, when he went 7-5 with a 3.12 ERA for the Dodgers and appeared twice in the World Series.

Reed passed away on December 7, 1984 in Mathis, TX at age 47 of heart failure.