Don Heinkel

Donald Elliott Heinkel

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 185 lb.
• School Wichita State University
• High School William Horlick High School
• Debut April 7, 1988
• Final Game May 18, 1989
• Born October 20, 1959 in Racine, WI USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Pitcher Don Heinkel was signed as a 30th round pick in the 1982 amateur draft by the Detroit Tigers and scout George Bradley.

On May 3, 1988, he tied a record by being called for three balks in one inning. No one had done it since 1963, and it was part of a crackdown by umpires on pitchers not coming to a full stop while in the stretch position; Jim Gott of the Pittsburgh Pirates also tied the mark the following August. It would then be almost 35 years until the next pitcher to be so charged, Richard Bleier of the 2022 Miami Marlins.

He holds the NCAA record for career victories, with 51. He was inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2010.

Notable Achievements

• 1983 Pitcher of the Year Southern League Birmingham Barons