Don Denkinger, a longtime American League umpire, has passed away.
Denkinger was an umpire in four World Series, Six American League Championship Series, two Division Series and the American League East tiebreaker between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox.
His passing was announced by MLB Communications on Friday evening.
Today MLB remembers longtime American League Umpire Don Denkinger, who passed away at 86. The genial Denkinger was on the field from 1969-1998 and worked four World Series, the last of which included plate duties for the epic Morris-Smoltz Game 7 in 1991. Rest in Peace, Don. pic.twitter.com/ZHWqGA2RPB
— MLB Communications (@MLB_PR) May 12, 2023
Denkinger is perhaps best known for a blown call in the sixth game of the 1985 World Series between the Kansas City Royals and St. Louis Cardinals. With the Cardinals leading the series 3-2 and the game 1-0, Kansas City’s Jorge Orta led the bottom of the ninth inning off with a chopper to first base. First baseman Jack Clark fielded the ball and flipped it to pitcher Todd Worrell. While replays later showed that Orta should have been called out, Denkinger called him safe.
While Orta was eventually forced out at third on a bunt play, the Royals scored the tying and winning runs that inning. In Game 7, Kansas City routed St. Louis, 11-0. Cardinals pitcher Joaquín Andújar and manager Whitey Herzog were both ejected by Denkinger in that game.
In later years, Denkinger embraced his role in the missed call, even autographing photos of the play. He also later became an advocate for instant replay, notably advocating for it in 2010 when umpire Jim Joyce’s incorrect call at first base deprived Detroit Tigers pitcher of what should have been the final out of a perfect game.
Upon hearing of Denkinger’s passing, baseball fans took to Twitter to remember him fondly. Several included crediting him for his handling of the missed call in 1985.
RIP Don Denkinger, the classy umpire great. https://t.co/xzVc8y5ExI
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) May 12, 2023
https://twitter.com/Lou_TireWorld/status/1657156439628996608
I was fortunate to get to know Don throughout last number of years, as our families attend the same church. It was always a joy talking baseball with Don. I saw him at church a month or 2 ago, and made a point to say hello to him. Seeing this news, I'm incredibly glad I did. https://t.co/hCf91h68ZG
— Josh Betts (@BettsOnSports) May 12, 2023
Unfortunately career remembered by one bad call https://t.co/IgSnIJEQf9
— lhd_on_sports (@lhd_on_sports) May 12, 2023
God's speed to the man who was behind the plate for the greatest baseball game ever played in Game 7 of the 1991 World Series between Atlanta and Minnesota. Great, great umpire and by all accounts a very good and decent human being. God's speed Don. 🙂 https://t.co/Ibcnlw0t2g
— Ryan Kronberg (@RyanKronberg) May 12, 2023
Rest in peace ⚾️
— UmpsCare ⚾️ (@UmpsCare) May 12, 2023
[MLB Communications] Photo Credit: Bally Sports Kansas City on YouTube
