Don Heffner
Encyclopedia
Donald Henry Heffner was an American
second baseman
, coach
and manager
in Major League Baseball
.
Born in Rouzerville, Pennsylvania
, Heffner entered baseball in 1929. After all or parts of four seasons with the then-minor league Baltimore Orioles
, Heffner joined the New York Yankees
for the 1934 season. He spent four seasons with the Yanks as a part-time player before a trade to the St. Louis Browns
afforded him more playing time. He appeared in more than 100 games from 1938-41 with St. Louis before reverting to a reserve role, and finished his playing career with the Philadelphia Athletics
and Detroit Tigers
in 1943-44. In 743 games over all or parts of 11 American League
seasons (1934–44), Heffner batted
.241 with six home run
s and 610 hits
. He batted and threw right-handed, stood 5 inch and weighed 155 lb (70.3 kg).
In 1947, he began his managing career in the Browns’ farm system, and he promptly won consecutive pennants in his first two seasons. He returned to the major leagues as a coach with the Athletics, now in Kansas City, from 1958–60 and the Tigers in 1961. Heffner then spent two successful seasons managing the San Diego Padres
of the Pacific Coast League
, winning the 1962 championship, before becoming third-base coach of the New York Mets
in 1964-65.
In October 1965, he succeeded Dick Sisler
as manager of the Cincinnati Reds
. Heffner was hired by longtime associate Bill DeWitt
, the Reds’ owner and general manager
who was the front office boss of the Browns during Heffner’s playing days. The Reds were a first division finisher in 1965 and hopes were high for a pennant run the following year — especially after DeWitt added front-line starting pitcher
Milt Pappas
in a blockbuster trade with Baltimore involving former most valuable player
Frank Robinson
. But while the Orioles roared to the AL pennant and world championship in 1966, the Reds never got untracked under Heffner, who tried to convert all-star second baseman Pete Rose
into a third baseman, only to draw the popular star's wrath (oddly, Rose would willingly become a third baseman for Sparky Anderson
). With Cincinnati in eighth place in the National League
with a record of 37-46 (.446) on July 13, Heffner was released in favor of Dave Bristol
. He never again managed in the major leagues, although he spent 1967-68 as a California Angels
coach and 1969 as manager of the Denver Bears of the American Association
.
He died at age 78 in Pasadena, California
. His interment was located at Mountain View Cemetery and Mausoleum in Altadena
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
second baseman
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
, coach
Coach (baseball)
In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, or head coach, who determines the lineup and decides how to substitute players during the game...
and manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
.
Born in Rouzerville, Pennsylvania
Rouzerville, Pennsylvania
Rouzerville is a census-designated place in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 862 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Rouzerville is located at ....
, Heffner entered baseball in 1929. After all or parts of four seasons with the then-minor league Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles (minor league)
The city of Baltimore, Maryland has been home to two minor league baseball teams called the Baltimore Orioles.-Name history:"Orioles" is a traditional name for baseball clubs in Baltimore . It was used by major league teams from 1882 through 1899 in the American Association/National League and by...
, Heffner joined the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
for the 1934 season. He spent four seasons with the Yanks as a part-time player before a trade to the St. Louis Browns
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
afforded him more playing time. He appeared in more than 100 games from 1938-41 with St. Louis before reverting to a reserve role, and finished his playing career with the Philadelphia Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
and Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
in 1943-44. In 743 games over all or parts of 11 American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
seasons (1934–44), Heffner batted
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
.241 with six home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s and 610 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
. He batted and threw right-handed, stood 5 inch and weighed 155 lb (70.3 kg).
In 1947, he began his managing career in the Browns’ farm system, and he promptly won consecutive pennants in his first two seasons. He returned to the major leagues as a coach with the Athletics, now in Kansas City, from 1958–60 and the Tigers in 1961. Heffner then spent two successful seasons managing the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres (PCL)
The San Diego Padres were a minor league baseball team which played in the Pacific Coast League from 1936 through 1968. The team that would eventually become the Padres was well traveled prior to moving to San Diego. It began its existence in 1903 as the Sacramento Solons, a charter member of the PCL...
of the Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
, winning the 1962 championship, before becoming third-base coach of the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
in 1964-65.
In October 1965, he succeeded Dick Sisler
Dick Sisler
Richard Alan Sisler was an American player, coach and manager in Major League Baseball. A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Sisler was the son of Hall of Fame first baseman and two-time .400 hitter George Sisler. Younger brother Dave Sisler was a relief pitcher in the 1950s and 1960s with four MLB...
as manager of the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
. Heffner was hired by longtime associate Bill DeWitt
Bill DeWitt
William Orville DeWitt Sr. was a longtime executive in Major League Baseball whose career spanned more than 50 years in the game. His son William DeWitt, Jr. is currently the principal owner and managing partner of the St. Louis Cardinals, while grandson William O...
, the Reds’ owner and general manager
General manager
General manager is a descriptive term for certain executives in a business operation. It is also a formal title held by some business executives, most commonly in the hospitality industry.-Generic usage:...
who was the front office boss of the Browns during Heffner’s playing days. The Reds were a first division finisher in 1965 and hopes were high for a pennant run the following year — especially after DeWitt added front-line starting pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
Milt Pappas
Milt Pappas
Milton Steven "Milt" Pappas is a former professional baseball pitcher...
in a blockbuster trade with Baltimore involving former most valuable player
Most Valuable Player
In sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...
Frank Robinson
Frank Robinson
Frank Robinson , is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. He played from 1956–1976, most notably for the Cincinnati Reds and the Baltimore Orioles. He is the only player to win league MVP honors in both the National and American Leagues...
. But while the Orioles roared to the AL pennant and world championship in 1966, the Reds never got untracked under Heffner, who tried to convert all-star second baseman Pete Rose
Pete Rose
Peter Edward Rose , nicknamed "Charlie Hustle", is a former Major League Baseball player and manager. Rose played from 1963 to 1986, and managed from 1984 to 1989....
into a third baseman, only to draw the popular star's wrath (oddly, Rose would willingly become a third baseman for Sparky Anderson
Sparky Anderson
George Lee "Sparky" Anderson was an American Major League Baseball manager. He managed the National League's Cincinnati Reds to the 1975 and 1976 championships, then added a third title in 1984 with the Detroit Tigers of the American League. He was the first manager to win the World Series in both...
). With Cincinnati in eighth place in the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
with a record of 37-46 (.446) on July 13, Heffner was released in favor of Dave Bristol
Dave Bristol
James David Bristol is a former manager in Major League Baseball in the 1960s and 1970s. He managed the Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers, Atlanta Braves, and San Francisco Giants during this period....
. He never again managed in the major leagues, although he spent 1967-68 as a California Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
coach and 1969 as manager of the Denver Bears of the American Association
American Association (20th century)
The American Association was a minor league baseball league at the Triple-A level of baseball in the United States from to and to . Together with the International League, it contested the Junior World Series which determined the championship team in minor league baseball, at least for the...
.
He died at age 78 in Pasadena, California
Pasadena, California
Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Although famous for hosting the annual Rose Bowl football game and Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena is the home to many scientific and cultural institutions, including the California Institute of Technology , the Jet...
. His interment was located at Mountain View Cemetery and Mausoleum in Altadena
Altadena, California
Altadena is an unincorporated area and census-designated place in Los Angeles County, California, United States, approximately from the downtown Los Angeles Civic Center, and directly north of the city of Pasadena, California...
.