Dick Wantz
Encyclopedia
Richard Carter Wantz (April 11, 1940 - May 13, 1965) was a relief pitcher
in Major League Baseball
who played for the California Angels
. He batted and threw right-handed.
Signed out of California State University, Los Angeles
, Wantz worked his way through the Angels' minor league system over the years 1961-1964, beginning in Class D ball in 1961. By the end of the 1964 season, he was with the Angels' Triple-A affiliate in Hawaii.
Wantz made the Angels’ Opening Day roster in 1965
. He made his major league debut on April 13. In one inning of relief, he struck out
two Cleveland Indians
and allowed three hits
and two earned runs
. He reported severe headaches afterward, only to be diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor
shortly thereafter.
Wantz died exactly one month after making his first and only major league appearance, in Inglewood, California
, at the age of 25.
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
who played for the California Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
. He batted and threw right-handed.
Signed out of California State University, Los Angeles
California State University, Los Angeles
California State University, Los Angeles is a public comprehensive university, part of the California State University system...
, Wantz worked his way through the Angels' minor league system over the years 1961-1964, beginning in Class D ball in 1961. By the end of the 1964 season, he was with the Angels' Triple-A affiliate in Hawaii.
Wantz made the Angels’ Opening Day roster in 1965
1965 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers over Minnesota Twins ; Sandy Koufax, MVP*All-Star Game, July 13 at Metropolitan Stadium: National League, 6-5; Juan Marichal, MVP-Other champions:*College World Series: Arizona State...
. He made his major league debut on April 13. In one inning of relief, he struck out
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
two Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
and allowed three hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
and two earned runs
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
. He reported severe headaches afterward, only to be diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor
Brain tumor
A brain tumor is an intracranial solid neoplasm, a tumor within the brain or the central spinal canal.Brain tumors include all tumors inside the cranium or in the central spinal canal...
shortly thereafter.
Wantz died exactly one month after making his first and only major league appearance, in Inglewood, California
Inglewood, California
Inglewood is a city in southwestern Los Angeles County, California, southwest of downtown Los Angeles. It was incorporated on February 14, 1908. Its population stood at 109,673 as of the 2010 Census...
, at the age of 25.