Don Wheeler

Donald Wesley Wheeler
(Scott)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 10", Weight 175 lb.
• High School South High School (Minneapolis)
• Debut April 23, 1949
• Final Game October 2, 1949
• Born September 29, 1922 in Minneapolis, MN USA
• Died December 10, 2003 in Bloomington, MN USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Minnesota native Don Wheeler spent ten active seasons in professional baseball from 1941 to 1960. He served as a Staff Sergeant for three years (1943-1945) in the United States Army during World War II and was a Bronze Star recipient.

Wheeler spent one season as a catcher with the major league Chicago White Sox from April 23 to October 2, 1949. Don was drafted by the White Sox from the New York Giants on November 10, 1948 in the 1948 Rule V Draft. He appeared in 67 games with 192 at-bats and 46 base-hits for a career .240 average. Don also fielded his position at a .976 percentage.

Don spent three of his seasons as a .300 or better hitter, when he hit .333 for the Eau Claire Bears in 1942, .323 for the Sioux City Soos in 1947 and .302 for the Minneapolis Millers in 1948. Overall, Wheeler had a minor league career batting average of .301 in 734 games and 2,452 at-bats.

Don was out of baseball for seven seasons (1953-1959) but returned for one appearance in the 1960 season with his hometown Millers of the American Association that honored him for his ten years service to the game and his community.

After baseball, he was a mail carrier for the United States Postal Service and officiated sporting events in the Twin Cities. Donald Wesley Wheeler died on December 10, 2003 in Bloomington, MN at the age of 81.

Related Sites

• Don Wheeler at the SABR Bio Project