Al Reach

Career

Upon his retirement from playing in 1875, he helped found the Philadelphia Phillies franchise. Reach served as team president from 1883 to 1899. Later, similar to Al Spalding, Reach formed a sporting goods company and earned millions.

In fact, he sold his company to Spalding in 1889. Reach died at age 87 in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and is interred at West Laurel Hill Cemetery in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania.

Achievements

• Born in London, Al Reach was a regular for the champion Eckford club of Brooklyn in the early 1860s before moving to the Philadelphia Athletics in 1865. When the National Association began, he helped them win the first professional baseball pennant in 1871.