Don Denkinger Cause of Death

Don Denkinger, a three-decade major league umpire whose blown call in the 1985 World Series overshadowed a stellar career, died Friday, May 12, 2023. He was 86.

Denkinger died at Cedar Valley Hospice in Waterloo, Iowa, according to one of his three daughters, Denise Hanson.

Denkinger began working for the American League in 1969. Over three decades in the big leagues, he worked four World Series, but he was best remembered for a bad call.

Denkinger remained an umpire until 1998 when he retired due to a bad right knee, and he served as an umpire advisor for a year after retiring. He then spent his time golfing and fishing, as well as visiting his family in Arizona and Minnesota.

Denkinger continued to appear at sports memorabilia shows including ones in St. Louis more than 20 years after the 1985 series, willing to autograph photos depicting “The Call.”

Don Denkinger has a painting of himself, Todd Worrell, and Jorge Orta from the play in his home, which was given to him by an artist years after the play and was prominently displayed at Denkinger’s restaurant in Waterloo, Iowa, where he lived for many years.