Don Denkinger

Donald Anton Denkinger (; August 28, 1936 – May 12, 2023) was an American umpire in Major League Baseball (MLB) who worked in the American League (AL) from 1969 to 1998. Denkinger wore uniform number 11, when the AL adopted uniform numbers in 1980. He is best remembered for an incorrect safe call he made at first base in Game 6 of the 1985 World Series, which came to be known as The Call.

Personal life Denkinger was born in Cedar Falls, Iowa, in 1936. He and his wife, Gayle Price, had three daughters, Darcel Nikolajsen, Denise Hanson, and Dana Kelly. Denkinger died at a hospice facility in Waterloo, Iowa, on May 12, 2023, at the age of 86. he began umpiring in the Alabama–Florida League in 1960, joined the AL staff in April 1969, Denkinger also umpired in the All-Star Game in 1971, 1976, and 1987, calling balls and strikes for the last game. He officiated in six American League Championship Series (1972, 1975, 1979, 1982, 1988, 1992), serving as crew chief in 1979, 1982, 1988, and 1992, and in the 1981 and 1995 AL Division Series. He was the home plate umpire for the 1978 American League East tie-breaker game that decided the AL East champion, as the New York Yankees defeated the Boston Red Sox. He was also the home plate umpire of Game 7 in the 1991 World Series when the Minnesota Twins beat the Atlanta Braves 1-0 in ten innings,

He was one of seven umpires who worked in two perfect games. Denkinger was the second base umpire for Len Barker's perfect game on May 15, 1981, and the first base umpire for Kenny Rogers' perfect game on July 28, 1994. Denkinger was also the home plate umpire for Nolan Ryan's sixth no-hitter on June 11, 1990. The Royals went on to win Game 6 by the score of 2–1.

Denkinger believed he had made the right call until he later met with Commissioner Peter Ueberroth after the game and had the opportunity to see the replay himself. He said he was waiting to hear the ball land in Worrell's glove while watching the bag for Orta's foot and due to the crowd noise he never heard Worrell catch the ball. Denkinger also said that when he looked down to see whether or not Orta's foot was on the bag, he saw Orta's foot on the bag, so Denkinger called him safe. following Andújar's animated displeasure with ball and strike calls.

In the immediate aftermath of the 1985 World Series, Denkinger received many hateful letters, including death threats, from Cardinals fans. Two St. Louis disc jockeys went so far as to reveal Denkinger's telephone number and home address. He is one of only four umpires to have been selected as crew chief for the ALCS three times.

Denkinger's last season as a full-time umpire was 1993. Thereafter, he umpired fewer than 100 games each season until retiring due to a bad right knee, umpiring his final game at Kauffman Stadium on June 2, 1998.

Post-umpiring Denkinger served as an umpire advisor for a year after retiring. He then spent his time golfing and fishing while also spending time in Arizona, France, Denmark and Illinois, with his family.