Now Batting: Don Mincher, of the Minnesota Twins!

Mediocre Major League Baseball Players -- Don Mincher
Don Mincher was one of my all-time favorite slow, power-hitting first basemen. He whacked 200 home runs, none of them seemingly cheap. He fielded his position quite well (what he could get to), seemed like a nice guy in radio interviews, and was named to two all-star teams, one playing for the California Angels and the other for the now defunct Seattle Pilots. Mincher primarily played for the Minnesota Twins (from1961 to 1966). I remember his 1970 season with the Oakland Athletics when he smacked 27 home runs!

He was named "Minch' but was perhaps best known as the "Mule." He was born in Hunstville, Ala., and enjoyed hunting and fishing, according to the 1971 Sporting News Baseball Register!

Mincher was no McCovey, but, to me, was just as enjoyable to watch. There's nothing like a power-hitting first baseman hitting the tar out of the ball and striking out all too often. I actually enjoyed Mincher striking out, as it made me think: Gosh, what if he made contact with that ball? Was it possible to hit a ball from Minnesota to Boston?"

The Mule hit 249 in 13 big league seasons, but, boy, did those hits ever make an impact on the viewer and wherever the ball landed!