Rich Reese – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Richard Benjamin Reese carved out a unique place in baseball history during his decade-long major league career from 1964 to 1973. The left-handed first baseman and outfielder spent most of his career with the Minnesota Twins. Fans remember him for his sharp defensive skills and clutch hitting.

Rich Reese retired from professional baseball in 1973. He split his final season between the Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins, capping off a career with memorable moments and a few records that still stand.

Born in Leipsic, Ohio, in 1941, Reese started his baseball journey in the small farming towns of northwestern Ohio. He worked his way up through amateur baseball and the minors, showing the grit and work ethic that would define his pro career.

Even though he faced tough competition from stars like Harmon Killebrew and Bob Allison, Reese found ways to contribute and leave his mark.

He never reached superstar status, but his career was packed with achievements and connections to baseball history. His defensive excellence, clutch performances, and later business success tell the story of a player who squeezed the most out of his talents on and off the field.

From Ohio high school baseball to a corporate career after baseball, Reese’s story shows the different directions athletes can go after their playing days.

Early Life and Amateur Baseball

Richard Benjamin Reese was born on September 29, 1941, in Leipsic, Ohio. He grew up in nearby Deshler, where he honed his baseball skills.

His family background had both heartbreak and support. A high school coach played a huge role in shaping his future.

Family Background

Reese came into the world in Leipsic but grew up 12 miles north in Deshler. His parents, Howard and Pauline Reese, raised three kids: Rich, older brother James, and younger sister Karen.

Howard worked as a farmworker, but as far as we know, he didn’t have much influence on Rich’s athletic path. In 1974, tragedy struck when Howard died at 57 in a car accident in Custar, Ohio. Their car went under a tractor-trailer, and authorities later charged the driver with drunk driving.

Pauline Reese lived until 2006, but not much is documented about her role in Rich’s early years. The Reese family gave Rich a classic small-town Ohio upbringing, which shaped his work ethic and character.

Deshler High School Achievements

Rich Reese attended Deshler High School and quickly stood out as a baseball player. The school, located in northwestern Ohio, gave him plenty of exposure to solid high school baseball.

At Deshler, Reese developed as a left-handed first baseman and hitter. Standing 6-foot-3, he was an imposing figure on the field even as a teenager.

He graduated in 1959. After high school, he worked at Christman Brothers Lumber Company in Leipsic and kept playing baseball in local leagues.

Early Baseball Influences

Gerold Parrett, Reese’s coach at Deshler High, became the biggest influence on his baseball development. Reese often credited Parrett for giving him the right foundation in the game.

“My coach at Deshler High School, Gerold Parrett, who has won more than 1,000 games in 17 or 18 years, really got me started right in baseball,” Reese said in 1969. “He was quite an influence at a critical time in my boyhood and I’ll never forget him.”

Reese played through several youth baseball levels, including Little League, Pony League, Babe Ruth League, American Legion, and summer league ball. He stuck with American Legion baseball for five years, which kept him active and competitive.

At 15, he attended a Detroit Tigers tryout camp, even though the minimum age was 16. He fudged his age to get a shot, showing early determination to chase pro baseball.

Professional Baseball Career

Rich Reese built his career by steadily developing in the minor leagues before proving himself as a versatile major leaguer. He played ten seasons in Major League Baseball from 1964 to 1973, mainly with the Minnesota Twins.

He excelled as both a first baseman and left fielder.

Minor League Development

The Detroit Tigers signed Reese before the 1962 season, kicking off his professional journey. He started out splitting time between the Thomasville Tigers in the Georgia-Florida League and the Montgomery Rebels in the Alabama-Florida League.

He hit .328 at Thomasville, but it was his defense that really separated him from other prospects.

Reese led his leagues in fielding percentage for four straight seasons. He did it in the Georgia-Florida League in 1962, the Northern League at Bismarck in 1963, the Carolina League at Wilson in 1964, and the Southern League at Charlotte in 1965.

The Minnesota Twins picked up Reese from Detroit in November 1962. He spent five years moving up through Minnesota’s minor league system, sharpening both his glove and his versatility.

His breakthrough came in 1966 with the Denver Bears in the Pacific Coast League. There, he batted .327 and finished second in the league batting race.

Major League Debut with Minnesota Twins

Reese made his major league debut on September 4, 1964, against the Boston Red Sox at Metropolitan Stadium. He came in as a pinch-runner and stayed at first base, recording three putouts in his first defensive appearance.

He played 10 games in that first stint but struggled at the plate, going hitless in seven at-bats.

The 1965 season was tough for Reese’s development. He only got into 10 games between April and May, managing just three at-bats as a pinch-hitter.

He picked up his first major league hit on April 23 at Detroit—a double that marked a big milestone. Still, the Twins sent him back to the minors on May 15 to trim the roster.

Manager Sam Mele admitted the decision was tough, saying Reese “was always in the game, even when he’s on the bench” and helped steal signals and encourage baserunners. After his successful 1966 season in Denver, Reese never returned to the minors.

Tenure with Detroit Tigers

Reese’s time with the Detroit Tigers was brief but important. The Tigers had first signed him as an amateur, so getting traded to Detroit felt like a bit of a homecoming.

He played for Detroit during the 1973 season, his last in pro baseball.

The trade gave Reese a chance to play for his childhood team, not far from his Ohio home. Unfortunately, by then, his skills were in decline.

Knee injuries started to slow him down and affected his play.

Reese’s stint with Detroit lasted only part of the 1973 season before he returned to Minnesota in August. The Tigers mostly used him at first base and sometimes in the outfield, roles he’d already mastered with the Twins.

Retirement in 1973

Rich Reese wrapped up his professional baseball career on September 29, 1973—his 32nd birthday, oddly enough. His final game was against the California Angels, and he went 0-for-4 at the plate.

That performance kind of summed up the decline in his batting that sped up in his last seasons.

Reese finished with a .253 batting average, 52 home runs, and 245 RBIs across 866 games. His best season came in 1969, when he batted .322 with a .513 slugging percentage for the division-winning Twins.

Recurring knee injuries and fading skills pushed Reese to retire at 32. He left the game after a career that started with so much promise in the minors but was ultimately limited by injuries and tough competition for playing time.

Playing Style and Fielding Excellence

Rich Reese made his name as a skilled defensive first baseman with fielding abilities that drew comparisons to some of the best glovemen of his era.

He also showed versatility by playing left field and other outfield spots when his teams needed it.

Defensive Skills at First Base

Reese built a reputation as an elite fielder at first base, especially during his prime years from 1968 to 1971. His defensive excellence became his calling card.

From 1968 to 1971, Reese played more games at first base than any other Minnesota Twin. He even edged out Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew, who split time between first and third base.

Reese had quick reflexes and smooth footwork around the bag. He was especially good at scooping low throws and stretching for off-target tosses from infielders.

His defensive skills kept him on the roster, even when his bat cooled off. The Twins relied on his glove during their successful late-1960s and early-1970s seasons.

Comparisons to Vic Power

Baseball people often compared Reese’s defense to Vic Power, one of the top fielding first basemen of the early 1960s. That’s high praise.

Power set the standard for first base defense from 1954 to 1965. He was known for his flashy style and steady hands, and became the benchmark for evaluating first basemen.

The comparison to Power says a lot about the respect Reese earned for his glove. Power’s reputation for spectacular plays made him a natural point of reference.

This helped define Reese as a defense-first player who could impact games with his glove, even when his bat wasn’t hot.

Performance as Left Fielder and Outfielder

Reese also brought value by playing left field and other outfield spots. That extra flexibility made him more useful to his teams and helped him stick around longer.

His 6-foot-3 frame and athleticism worked well in the outfield. Reese’s left-handed throw gave him a natural advantage in left field, where his arm strength came in handy.

Playing the outfield added another layer to his defensive value. Teams could use him as a defensive replacement or a strategic sub in different positions.

This versatility proved especially valuable with both the Twins and Tigers. His ability to play first base and outfield made him a handy bench player and spot starter.

Career Highlights and Memorable Moments

Rich Reese’s ten-year career had some real highlights, like his breakout 1969 season under manager Billy Martin and his three pinch-hit grand slams, which tied a major league record.

He also played a role in the Minnesota Twins’ division title runs in 1969 and 1970.

1969 Breakout Season

The 1969 season was Reese’s best in the majors. Under new manager Billy Martin, who had coached him in the minors, Reese really found his groove at the plate.

He hit .322 with a .513 slugging percentage. His 139 OPS+ meant he hit 39% better than the average player that year.

That season, Harmon Killebrew split time between first and third base, which opened up more chances for Reese.

During July and August, Reese was especially hot, batting .354 with 11 home runs and 37 RBI. This surge helped push the Twins to their first American League West Division title.

He finished 1969 with 16 home runs and 69 RBI, both career highs. Reese was the primary starter at first base and played more games there than any other Twin that year.

Pinch-Hit Grand Slam Record

Reese did something rare by hitting three pinch-hit grand slams in his career. That ties him for the major league record.

Pinch-hit grand slams are tough—they require perfect timing and nerves of steel. You come off the bench cold, bases loaded, and have to deliver.

Reese’s knack for these big moments showed his value as a clutch hitter.

This record highlights Reese’s versatility and mental toughness. Coming off the bench with the bases loaded isn’t easy. His three grand slams gave his teams crucial runs in big spots.

Postseason Appearances

The Minnesota Twins made the playoffs in both 1969 and 1970. For Reese, that was his only shot at postseason baseball.

Both years, the Twins ran into the Baltimore Orioles in the American League Championship Series. The Orioles swept both series, and the Twins just couldn’t get past them.

Reese chipped in with three hits, two walks, and two RBI across those six playoff games. His postseason batting average took a hit, but honestly, Baltimore’s pitching shut nearly everyone down.

Those playoff runs were the high point for Reese’s time with the Twins. The 1969 and 1970 teams had some real power, with Killebrew anchoring the lineup, but Baltimore was just too much.

Famous Connections and Baseball Records

Rich Reese’s career—about a decade long—put him alongside some legends and right in the middle of baseball history. He owns the major league record for pinch-hit grand slam home runs, with three of them, and he saw some unforgettable games up close.

Catfish Hunter’s Perfect Game

Reese found himself in one of baseball’s most famous games. On May 8, 1968, Catfish Hunter pitched a perfect game against the Minnesota Twins at the Oakland Coliseum.

Reese was in the lineup that day. He stepped up to the plate in the middle innings, one of the 27 batters Hunter faced. He made decent contact, but Hunter was just untouchable that night.

That perfect game is still rare in baseball history. Hunter struck out 11, and nobody managed a hit, walk, or error. The A’s won 4-0, with 6,298 fans watching.

For Reese, being part of that moment is something to remember. Not everyone can say they faced a pitcher throwing a perfect game.

Nolan Ryan’s 383rd Strikeout

Reese saw Nolan Ryan’s record-breaking season up close in 1973. That year, Ryan set the modern single-season strikeout record with 383 strikeouts for the California Angels.

Early in 1973, Reese played for the Detroit Tigers and faced Ryan more than once. Ryan was already making a name for himself as one of the game’s most overpowering pitchers.

Ryan’s fastball often hit 100 mph during that run. He broke Sandy Koufax’s old record of 382, which had held up since 1965. That was Ryan’s fourth season with the Angels.

Reese returned to the Twins in August 1973 and kept running into Ryan in American League games. Facing pitchers like Ryan really showed how tough it was to compete at the top back then.

Encounters with Rod Carew and Sandy Koufax

Rod Carew joined the Twins in 1967, becoming Reese’s teammate. Carew was just starting what would turn into a Hall of Fame career.

Reese and Carew shared the field during those early years. Reese got to see Carew sharpen his hitting and become one of the best contact hitters around. They played together through the early 1970s.

Before his big league days, Reese probably crossed paths with Sandy Koufax during spring training or exhibition games. Koufax ruled the National League with the Dodgers in the ’60s before retiring after 1966.

These brushes with future Hall of Famers really show the level of talent in Reese’s era. Both Carew and Koufax set the standard for excellence in baseball during the ’60s and early ’70s.

Post-Baseball Career and Legacy

After leaving baseball in 1973, Rich Reese jumped into the distilled spirits business and found quite a bit of success. He eventually became CEO of Jim Beam Brands. His baseball career still pops up in the record books with several notable records and achievements.

Role at Jim Beam Brands

Reese really built a second career after baseball. He entered the distilled spirits industry and took on a bunch of different roles over the years.

The leadership and work ethic he showed on the field helped him in business too. He kept moving up in the company, one step at a time.

Eventually, Reese became CEO of Jim Beam Brands. The company was based in Deerfield, Illinois, just outside Chicago.

He led Jim Beam during a pretty important stretch in its history. His time as CEO proved he could handle more than just baseball.

Reese retired from his executive job in 2003, capping off a business career that lasted about 30 years. That shift from pro athlete to top executive shows just how versatile he was.

Lasting Influence on Baseball

Reese’s name sticks in the baseball record books thanks to some big moments. He shares the major league record for pinch-hit grand slam home runs in a career, which says a lot about his ability to come through in the clutch.

He also has a link to one of baseball’s most famous records. He became Nolan Ryan’s 383rd strikeout victim in 1973, which is still the single-season strikeout record.

Reese played his final game on September 29, 1973, which happened to be his 32nd birthday. That wrapped up a career that went from 1964 to 1973.

Recognition and Personal Life

Reese lived with the same dedication off the field that he brought to baseball. He juggled a demanding corporate career alongside his family commitments, which is honestly no small feat.

He thrived in both baseball and business, showing he could handle very different environments. Not everyone manages that kind of shift from athlete to executive, but Reese pulled it off.

He kept in touch with the baseball community while building his business career. That kind of dual success in sports and corporate life made him stand out.

Reese’s story shows just how tough and rewarding life after sports can be. His leadership at Jim Beam Brands really proved that what you learn in professional sports can carry over to the business world, sometimes in surprising ways.