Herman Reich
From BR Bullpen
Herman Charles Reich
- Bats Right, Throws Left
- Height 6' 2", Weight 200 lb.
- School Loyola Marymount University
- Debut May 3, 1949
- Final Game October 2, 1949
- Born November 23, 1917 in Bell, CA USA
- Died October 22, 2009 in Fallbrook, CA USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Herman Reich spent more than two decades in pro baseball but played only one season in the majors, splitting the year between three clubs.
Reich began playing pro ball in the 1930s, but his career was interrupted by military service during World War II. Following several more seasons in the minors after the war, he was selected by the Cleveland Indians in the Rule V draft in 1948. He reached the majors as a 31 year old rookie in 1949 but ended up splitting the year between three big league clubs. After being selected off waivers by the Washington Senators in late April, he appeared in just a pair of games before being returned to the Indians, for whom he made a single appearance. He was then claimed off waivers by the Chicago Cubs and became the club's regular first baseman for the rest of the year, hitting .280 in 108 games.
Reich's contract was purchased by the Chicago White Sox prior to the 1950 season, but he ended up returning to the minors. After several more years as a player, he managed the 1961 Idaho Falls Russets and spent time as a scout. Following his baseball career, he worked as an avocado rancher. He died in 2009 at age 91.
