Former Southern League president, Huntsville Stars owner and Major Leaguer Don Mincher passed away last night after a long illness. He was 73.
Mincher retired last fall as president of the Class AA Southern League due to the health problems. The league is still searching for a replacement.
A Huntsville native, Mincher began his career in the Chicago White Sox organization but was traded to the original Washington Senators, along with Earl Battey, for pitcher Roy Sievers. After seven seasons with the Senators/Minnesota Twins, he was traded for the 1967 season to the California Angels, where he became an All-Star in his first season with the team, repeating the feat in 1969 with the expansion Seattle Pilots. He ended his career in 1972 after winning a Word Series ring with the Oakland A’s.
Mincher was elected president of the league in 2000. Before becoming president, he was general manager of the Southern League’s Huntsville Stars from 1984 until he assembled a group of local owners who purchased the team in 1994. He sold his interest in the club when he was elected president of the League in 2000. Mincher was popular in baseball circles, known for his affable spirit.
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