Wooed by 18 ML teams, Reichardt became the highest-priced bonus baby in baseball history when he signed with California for a reported $200,000 in 1964. A handsome and articulate scholar-athlete (Joe Garagiola: “The first time I saw him I thought he fell off a Wheaties box”), the fleet outfielder looked like he’d live up to expectations when he hit .288 with 16 homers in only 89 games in 1966, before illness forced the removal of a kidney in August. Although he led the Angels with 21 homers and 73 RBIs in 1968, he was an erratic fielder and much more was expected of him than his consistent .250 BAs.
