Born in Lexa, Arkansas, Bearden was signed to a contract by the Philadelphia Phillies out of high school, and spent four seasons in the minor leagues.

He lived in Helena, Arkansas, after retiring, working for KFFA and engaging in a number of business ventures until his death in 2004.

His father worked for the Missouri Pacific Railroad, and moved the family to Tennessee, where he graduated from Memphis Technical High School.

[1] He was signed by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1939, and began his professional career with the Class D Moultrie Packers, winning five games and losing 11.

After the season ended, Bearden joined the United States Navy to serve in World War II.

During the Battle of Kula Gulf on July 6, 1943, he was working in the engine room of the light cruiser when it was struck by three Japanese torpedoes.

[1] Forced to abandon ship as the Helena sank, Bearden fell from a ladder on the deck and sustained a fractured skull and a crushed kneecap.

Hospitalized until early 1945, he underwent surgeries that inserted metal plates in his head and knee to treat his injuries.

[1] In a 1949 autobiographical article published in The Sporting News' Official Baseball Register, Bearden declined to discuss his wartime experience, saying: "I was just another gob [slang for sailor], luckier than many, because I met up with a doctor who is, to me, the best orthopedic surgeon in the business.

[5] Bearden returned to baseball in 1945 as a part of the New York Yankees organization and won 15 games in the Class A Binghamton Triplets of the Eastern League.

[7] On December 6, 1946, the New York Yankees, traded him to the Cleveland Indians along with Hal Peck and Al Gettel for Sherm Lollar and Ray Mack.

[6] After spring training, Bearden was named to the major league roster to start the 1947 Cleveland Indians season.

[11] On only one day of rest, Bearden pitched another complete game, shutting down the Red Sox on five hits and one earned run.

[16] Bearden remained in the starting rotation for 1949 and pitched in the home opener against the Detroit Tigers, but his knuckleball was figured out by opposing managers.

Casey Stengel, now manager of the Yankees, had told his players to avoid swinging at it, as his knuckleball rarely landed in the strike zone.

After the season ended, the White Sox traded Bearden to the Seattle Rainiers of the Pacific Coast League for Art Del Duca and Alex Garbowski.

[26] Shortly afterward, Bearden was named radio station manager of KFFA in Helena, Arkansas, formally ending his baseball career.

He was involved in a number of business ventures in Helena, including owning a restaurant and working as general manager for Plaza Auto Sales, and was also a youth baseball coach.