Wilmer Reid, one of the most well-respected baseball men in the Philadelphia region, passed away over the weekend at the age of 89. His presence at ballparks across the city and beyond was legendary, and his impact on the game will be felt for generations.
If there was a baseball diamond anywhere near Philadelphia, you can bet Wilmer Reid was there. Didn’t matter if it was a high school game in Chester, a college showcase in South Jersey, or a sandlot contest in Germantown—if there was talent, Reid was watching. And not just watching. Studying. Analyzing. Seeing things in players that no one else could.
Reid knew baseball. Maybe better than anyone in the Philadelphia region. That’s what happens when you spend nearly five decades in the game. He played it, scouted it, lived it. And along the way, he became one of the most well-respected baseball men this city has ever known.
A sharp dresser with a presence that commanded attention, Reid had stories that could make time stand still. Tales of the road, of ballplayers who made it, of those who should have. Of late-night scouting meetings and seeing future big leaguers before anyone else did. He could hold court for hours, and no one would ever want him to stop.
Before he was a scout, he was a player. A West Philadelphia High School graduate, Reid spent two seasons (1957-58) patrolling the outfield for the Indianapolis Clowns of the Negro Leagues. But his real impact on the game came after his playing days ended. With a keen eye for talent and an unmatched passion for scouting, he became an invaluable member of multiple Major League Baseball organizations, working with the Kansas City Royals, Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Yankees, Washington Nationals, and, finally, the Phillies.Baseball lost a wonderful man yesterday. Wilmer Reid was truly a gift to those who spent time with him. Always a pleasure to see, always smiling & joking. Wilmer endeared himself to me when I arrived @ St. Joe’s. I ❤️ just visiting w/ him. RIP my friend. You will be missed. 🙏🏼⚾️ pic.twitter.com/jnMZiMi7qd
— Fritz Hamburg (@FritzHamburg7) February 20, 2025
Reid didn’t just scout players—he invested in them. He built relationships, mentored young talent, and earned the trust of everyone in the game. You’d be hard-pressed to find a baseball person in Philadelphia who didn’t know him, respect him, and, more importantly, like him.
His wisdom, his laughter, his eye for the game—irreplaceable. Wilmer Reid was, simply put, one of a kind. His legacy in Philadelphia baseball will live on in the countless players and colleagues he impacted throughout his incredible career.
