Wantz was a native of South Gate, California. He stood 6 feet 5 inches (1.96 m) tall and weighed 175 pounds (79 kg). Signed out of California State University, Los Angeles, he worked his way through the Angels\' minor league system from 1961 through 1964, beginning in Class D ball in 1961, and by the end of the 1964 season he was a member of the Angels\' Triple-A affiliate, the Hawaii Islanders. That fall, he appeared in 11 games and won two of three decisions for the Angels\' team in the Arizona Instructional League.\n', '

In 1965, Wantz pitched well during spring training and became a member of the Angels\' early-season roster. He made his debut during the Angels\' home opener in their final season as tenants at Chavez Ravine on April 13. With the opposition Cleveland Indians leading 5–0, Wantz relieved Don Lee at the start of the eighth inning. He struck out the first batter he faced, Max Alvis, but then surrendered back-to-back doubles to Vic Davalillo and Larry Brown and an RBI single to Joe Azcue. He then fanned opposing pitcher Ralph Terry and retired Dick Howser to escape further scoring. Wantz exited the game for a pinch hitter with Cleveland leading, 7–0. His pitching line: one inning pitched, in which he allowed three hits and two earned runs, with no bases on balls and two strikeouts. It would be Wantz\' only appearance in the majors before his illness struck.\n', '

A week later, during a road trip to New York City, Wantz began to experience severe headaches. He was hospitalized in Detroit, then was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor when he returned to California. He died in Inglewood after undergoing surgery, exactly one month after his debut against the Indians. He was 25.\n', '

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