Don Mincher

Donald Ray Mincher (June 24, 1938 – March 4, 2012

Early life Mincher was born on June 24, 1938, in Huntsville, Alabama to George Walter and Lillian Gladys (Cothren) Mincher. In high school, he played baseball, basketball, and football; captaining the baseball and football teams as a senior. He was All-state and a high school All-American in football.

Career Mincher's professional baseball career began when he signed as an amateur free agent with the Chicago White Sox after graduating from Huntsville's S. R. Butler High School in 1956. He turned down a football scholarship to the University of Alabama to sign with the White Sox. He was fifth in the Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League (Three-I League) in hitting, sixth in home runs and OPS, second in RBIs, and third in runs. He played for the Single-A Charleston ChaSox in 1959. He spent most of 1960 playing Double-A baseball for the Charleston Senators of the American Association, hitting .306 with 12 home runs in 112 games. He played in 27 games for the Senators that year, with a .241 batting average in 79 at-bats. From 1961-63, Mincher's playing time increased each year, starting 57 games at first base in 1963 playing behind Vic Power. The following year, he shared time at first base with Bob Allison; Mincher starting 65 games, and Allison starting 90 games. On the year, Mincher hit .237, with 23 home runs and 56 RBIs in only 287 at-bats. Allison hit .287, with 32 home runs and 86 RBIs in 492 at bats. From 1961-64, Mincher's home runs increased each year (5, 9, 17 to 23). He now split time at first base with future hall of famer Harmon Killebrew (who also played at third base), but Mincher started the majority of the Twins' games at first base (85). Mincher also appeared in all seven games of the 1965 World Series. Although he collected only three hits in 23 at bats (.130), his first hit was a home run off Don Drysdale in the second inning of Game 1. The home run off of Drysdale in World Series was something Mincher reflected on with deepening appreciation over the years; as well as his having batted against Sandy Koufax in that World Series.

In 1966, Mincher would have his most starts at first base for the Twins (118). Killebrew played 40 games at first base, but the majority of his games were at third base. Mincher had his franchise high in plate appearances (497) and games (139), repeating his .251 batting average from 1965; but his home runs fell to 14, and RBI total to 62. Killebrew hit .281, with 39 home runs and 110 RBIs. He played in a career high 147 games, batting .273, with 25 home runs, 76 RBIs, and an OPS of .854. He was also 21st in AL MVP voting. In 1968, he hit only .236, with 13 home runs and 48 RBIs. He was selected to the 1969 All-Star team, becoming one of only two Seattle Pilots players ever named an all star (along with Mike Hegan). Despite his successes, Mincher was traded by Brewers before their first season, along with Ron Clark, to the Oakland Athletics for Phil Roof, Mike Hershberger, Lew Krausse and Ken Sanders. for Mike Epstein and Darold Knowles. Mincher's name appeared in the box scores of two other games, but he never officially batted in either contest when he was replaced by a right-handed pinch hitter. Oakland defeated Cincinnati in seven games, earning Mincher a World Series championship ring.

Career Mincher belted more than 20 homers five times in his first seven years as an everyday player. All told, over all or parts of 13 MLB seasons, Mincher batted .249, with 1,003 hits, 176 doubles, 16 triples and 200 home runs and 643 runs batted in (RBI) in 1,400 career games. He was elected to the American League All-Star team twice ( and ).

Mincher was one of only 21 players to hit a home run completely over the right-field roof and out of Tiger Stadium in Detroit during the 64-year history of its final configuration. He accomplished the feat on August 23, 1964, as a member of the Minnesota Twins.