PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. - Jeff Reardon, one of the top relief pitchers in baseball history, was released on $5,000 bail on Tuesday night after being arrested for a jewelry store robbery.

The 50-year-old Reardon apologized to officers and blamed his actions on medication he is taking for depression, according to Palm Beach Gardens police. His arraignment is scheduled for Jan. 27.

Reardon, who retired in 1994 and ranks sixth in career saves, walked into Hamilton Jewelers at the Gardens Mall on Monday and handed an employee a note saying he had a gun and the store was being robbed, police said.

He fled the store with an undisclosed amount of cash. Police found him at a nearby restaurant, recovered the stolen money and charged him with armed robbery.

"He said it was the medication that made him do it and that he was sorry," O'Neill said. He said Reardon has lived in the city for more than 20 years and has never caused any problems.

He said Reardon had a 20-year-old son who died of a drug overdose in February 2004, which "has been very difficult for him and his family," and has been on medication for depression. Reardon, who is married and has two other children, also underwent a heart angioplasty last week and has been taking medication for that.

The four-time All-Star was 73-77 with 367 saves and a 3.16 ERA in 16 seasons with the New York Mets, Expos, Twins, Red Sox, Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds and New York Yankees.

Reardon had a save in the Twins' 1987 World Series victory over St. Louis. But five years later, he gave up a decisive two-run homer to Toronto's Ed Sprague in the ninth inning, allowing the Blue Jays to tie Atlanta at one game apiece. Toronto eventually won the 1992 World Series in six games.

Bert Blyleven, Reardon's teammate on the '87 championship team, said he was shocked and saddened by the news. Blyleven said he knew Reardon was still deeply affected by his son's death.

"It's very uncharacteristic of Jeff Reardon to do what he did," said Blyleven, now a TV analyst for the Twins. "I've been very fortunate, and my wife has, not to lose any of our children. I can't imagine what he's going through in the holidays."

This is cache, read story here