Ken Heintzelman

Kenneth Alphonse Heintzelman

• Bats Right, Throws Left
• Height 5' 11½", Weight 185 lb.

• Debut October 3, 1937
• Final Game August 13, 1952
• Born October 14, 1915 in Peruque, MO USA
• Died August 14, 2000 in St. Peters, MO USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Pitcher Ken Heintzelman, the father of Tom Heintzelman, was inducted into the Army in March 1943 and discharged in January 1946.

Over 25% of his career starts came against the St. Louis Cardinals. While a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1937 to 1947, he never started a game against the Philadelphia Phillies, for whom he pitched the second half of his career, from 1947 to 1952.

His first major league start came against the Cincinnati Reds; he threw a complete game win. His third start came against them as well, two years later. From then on, he never had another start again against the Reds for the rest of the time he played in Pittsburgh.

Heintzelman joined the Phillies in May 1947. He won a career-high 17 games in 1949. With the Whiz Kids of 1950, he slipped to 3-9, but pitched in important games down the stretch. He also got to start Game 3 of the 1950 World Series against the New York Yankees, taking a 2-1 lead into the 8th inning before leaving with a no-decision.

Notable Achievements

• NL Shutouts Leader (1949)
• 15 Wins Seasons: 1 (1949)
• 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 1 (1949)

Related Sites

• Ken Heintzelman at the SABR Bio Project