Les Hinckle

Lester Clyde Hinckle
(Iron Man)

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 5' 7", Weight 160 lb.

• Born November 8, 1910 in Winchester, VA, USA
• Died November 25, 1955 in Marriottsville, MD, USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Les Hinckle was a minor league and semi-pro pitcher. He broke into the professional ranks in 1938 at 27, going 6-3 with a 1.90 ERA and 74 strikeouts in 71 innings for the Federalsburg A's of the Class D Eastern Shore League. He starred in 1939 with 27 wins against just 6 losses, a 2.49 ERA, and 309 strikeouts to win a pitching Triple Crown. He went up to the Syracuse Chiefs in the International League in 1940, and spent three so-so seasons with them, going 25-27 with a 3.94 ERA.

He had a distinguished semi-pro career. He started out in 1932 for Middleburg of the Susquehanna Valley League, and struck out 165 batters for a new league record. He went to the Mifflinburg team of the West Branch League, and stayed with them from 1934-1937 when they were the Mifflinburg Senators of the Central Penn League. He started the 1938 season with the Tremont Miners before going to Federalsburg. The highlight of his season came on July 7th, when he beat the Philadelphia Phillies 2-1 in an exhibition game. He allowed just 2 hits, one by Ray Stoviak (who never had a hit in the major leagues), and the other to future Hall of Famer Chuck Klein.

His nickname of "Iron Man" dates back to August 20, 1933, when he won both ends of a double-header against Lewisburg. In the first game, he won 3-1, allowing 5 hits. In the second game, a seven-inning affair, he allowed just 3 hits to win, 3-0.