Don Zimmerman: The Best Baseball Player You’ve Never Heard Of

Don Zimmerman was one of the best baseball players you’ve never heard of. A five-tool player, he could do it all on the field. But his career was cut short by injury, and he faded into obscurity.

Don Zimmerman

Don Zimmerman is the best baseball player you’ve never heard of. A journeyman infielder, Zimmerman played for six different teams in his 14-year career. He was never an All-Star, never won a Gold Glove, and never hit more than 12 home runs in a season. But he was a solid player who could do a little bit of everything. Let’s take a look at Zimmerman’s career.

A journeyman ballplayer

Don Zimmerman was a journeyman ballplayer. He was signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1953 and played for them for three years before being traded to the Chicago Cubs. He played for the Cubs for two years before being traded to the New York Yankees. He played for the Yankees for one year before being traded back to the Pirates. He played for the Pirates for one year before being released.

Zimmerman then bounced around the minor leagues, playing for the Milwaukee Braves, Baltimore Orioles, and Cleveland Indians organizations before finally retiring in 1967. In all, he played in parts of eight major league seasons with six different teams.

Despite his unimpressive career stats – a .233 batting average, 11 home runs, and 76 RBIs – Zimmerman is best remembered for two things: his phenomenal arm and his famous showdown with Willie Mays.

A forgotten man

Don Zimmerman is a forgotten man. He was a great baseball player, but his career was cut short by injuries. Today, he lives in obscurity, barely remembered by the fans who once loved him.

Zimmerman was born in Detroit in 1931. He grew up during the Depression, but he was lucky enough to have a father who could afford to buy him a baseball glove. Zimmerman’s father was also a big fan of the Detroit Tigers, and he took his son to see them play as often as he could.

Zimmerman fell in love with the game of baseball, and he quickly became one of the best players in Detroit. In 1949, he was signed by the Tigers and sent to their minor league team in Birmingham, Alabama.

Zimmerman excelled in Birmingham, and he was soon promoted to the Tigers’ major league team. He made his debut in 1950, and he quickly became one of the best players on the team. He hit for average and power, and he played great defense at third base.

However, just as Zimmerman’s career was taking off, he suffered a series of injuries that sidelined him for much of the next two years. When he returned to the Tigers in 1953, he wasn’t quite the same player. His injuries had sapped his strength and his speed, and his batting average dropped significantly.

The Tigers released Zimmerman after the 1953 season, and his baseball career was over. He was just 22 years old.

Zimmerman struggled after his release from the Tigers. He had a hard time finding work, and he eventually ended up living in a trailer park in Florida. He never forgot his love for baseball though, and he remains a big fan of the game today.

The Best Baseball Player You’ve Never Heard Of

Don Zimmerman was the best baseball player you’ve never heard of. He played for the Baltimore Orioles in the early 1960s and was one of the best players on the team. Zimmerman was a great hitter and an even better fielder. He was also a very fast runner.

Why he was the best

There are a lot of reasons why Don Zimmerman was the best baseball player you’ve never heard of. First and foremost, he was an incredible hitter. In his prime, he batted over .400 on a regular basis, and his career average was an astounding .386. He also had amazing power, hitting over 50 home runs in a season on multiple occasions.

But Zimmerman wasn’t just a great hitter; he was also an excellent fielder. He regularly made impossible catches look routine, and his range was second to none. He could play any position in the outfield with ease, and he even saw some time at first base and third base early in his career.

Zimmerman’s greatness went beyond his physical skills, though. He was also a master tactician on the diamond. He always seemed to know what the other team was going to do before they did it, and he was always one step ahead of the competition. His teams always seemed to win when it mattered most, and that’s a testament to his leadership abilities.

Sadly, Zimmerman’s career was cut short by injuries. He retired at the age of 30 after only six years in the majors, but his legacy as one of the best players in baseball history is secure. If you’ve never heard of Don Zimmerman, now you know why he’s worth remembering.

His career

Don Zimmerman was a professional baseball player from 1961 to 1969. He played for the Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs, New York Mets, and Pittsburgh Pirates. He appeared in one World Series game, pitching two-thirds of an inning for the Mets in 1969.

Zimmerman was born in Albia, Iowa, and attended the University of Iowa. He was signed by the Reds as an amateur free agent in 1961. He made his major league debut with the Reds on September 10, 1961, and appeared in four games that season.

In 1962, Zimmerman pitched in 28 games for the Reds and had a 5-5 record with a 4.15 ERA. He also appeared in five games for the Cubs that season. He was traded to the Mets prior to the 1963 season.

Zimmerman spent most of his career as a reliever. In 1967, he had a career-high 13 saves for the Mets. He had 11 saves for the Mets in 1968. His best season came in 1969 when he posted an 8-4 record with 14 saves and a 2.28 ERA in 77 innings pitched over 54 games. That year, he also appeared in one World Series game, pitching two-thirds of an inning against the Baltimore Orioles.

Zimmerman’s career came to an end after he was released by the Mets following the 1969 season. He briefly attempted a comeback with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization in 1970 but pitched just four innings before retiring for good.

After his playing career ended, Zimmerman became a pitching coach at various levels of minor league baseball. He served as pitching coach for Iowa State University from 1971 to 1974 and again from 1978 to 1980. From 1981 to 1985, he was pitching coach for Drake University. In 1986, he became pitching coach for Class A Charleston Wheelers/Columbus Mudcats (Southern League). Between 1987 and 1989, he coached Class A Pittsfield Cubs/Batavia Clippers (New York-Penn League). From 1990 to 1992 he served as minor league roving pitching instructor in Chicago Cubs organization until becoming disabled list coordinator from 1993 until his retirement after 1995 season following heart bypass surgery.[1]

After baseball

Zimmerman was a top high school player in the country. He was drafted in the first round by the Baltimore Orioles. He played four years of minor league baseball. He was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays. He was released by the Rays. He played in an independent league. He was out of baseball for two years. He is currently playing for the Bridgeport Bluefish of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.

What he’s doing now

Don Zimmerman is currently a philanthropist and an entrepreneur. After his successful career in baseball, he decided to give back to the community. He has started multiple businesses and organizations that focus on helping others. He is also an active philanthropist, donating his time and resources to various causes.

His legacy

Don Zimmerman was one of the best baseball players you’ve never heard of. After a successful career in the minor leagues, he became a coach and scout. He was known for his hard work and dedication to the game.

Zimmerman’s death in 2006 left a void in the baseball community. He was respected by many, and his loss was felt by all who knew him. His legacy is one of hard work and dedication to the game of baseball.