Reiner will be remembered for scouting legacy

The story goes that Andres Reiner became interested in the 15-year-old Venezuelan while watching him play center field. There was something about the kid’s footwork and grace, his arm speed and the ease with which he did everything.

Reiner, who died Wednesday at 80, never really was able to explain what he saw in Johan Santana that first game, and that’s a thing a lot of baseball’s best scouts have in common.

• Pioneering Astros scout Reiner dies at 80

They don’t really know why they know. They just know. Right there at the start, Reiner believed Santana had a chance.

At the time, baseball was in the middle of an ugly work stoppage, and when Reiner asked for $400 to make the 12-hour trip to Santana’s tiny hometown, his bosses with the Houston Astros didn’t think it was such a hot idea.

Reiner cajoled and pleaded, and in the end, pursued the kid anyway. Years later, former Astros general manager Bob Watson said, “When he felt that strongly, you knew he was onto something.”

Reiner got to know the Santana family, and in the end, signed the then-16-year-old for $15,000 in 1995.

Santana would be in the Major Leagues five years later, and he would stay there for a dozen, winning two American League Cy Young Awards and making over $160 million.

To this day, Santana will tell you he owes all the wonderful things that have happened to him to Reiner, who believed in him and remained his friend.

If the Hall of Fame is reserved for those who have made a …

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