Al Reach was born in London England in 1840 before moving to the United States as a one-year old. Reach played baseball before the Civil War as a teenager for the Brooklyn Eckfords. He is believed to be the first player paid to play the game.

Starting in 1865 Reach reportedly received $25 per week to play. Six years later he joined the Philadelphia Athletics of the National Association. After a five-year playing career in the NA, Reach founded the Philadelphia Phillies. He became the first team president of the Philadelphia Phillies as part owner.

In the collection is this signature of the early pioneer on the minutes from a meeting of the A.J. Reach Company. An uncommon signature by virtue of his 1928 death, Reach remains a viable candidate for induction.

In 1905 baseball formed the Mills Commission to find the origin of baseball. Seven of the most prominent men in the game were appointed to the commission including future Hall of Fame members Morgan Bulkeley and George Wright. As the titans of the game considered who else to add to the commission, they turned to Alfred J. Reach.

One of the first professional ball players, Reach later helped found the Phillies, serving as their first team president. He later gained fame and wealth as a sporting goods magnate. Reach has been on the Hall’s Veterans Committee ballot multiple times, most recently in 2013. He has yet to be recognized.

Shown here is the closeup of the uncommon signature of Al Reach.