Denkinger Gets Out of Town and Out of the Heat

WATERLOO, Iowa —  Don Denkinger, the American League umpire who made the controversial call in the sixth game of the World Series, got away from the furor Friday by leaving for today’s Iowa-Ohio State football game at Columbus, Ohio.

“There has been a lot of mail and plenty of phone calls, some of it anonymous and not very nice,” said Denkinger’s wife, Gayle.

“But there has been a lot of marvelous support, from friends and neighbors and from people we don’t even know. The commissioner has been supportive, along with the American League and the other umpires,” she said.

“And at times like this, it helps.”

Denkinger earlier this week said he “called it from the heart” when he ruled that Jorge Orta of the Kansas City Royals was safe at first base after hitting a ground ball in the ninth inning. The Royals went on to score two runs, win the game and stay alive to win the Series with an 11-0 victory in the seventh game.

“The game is still played by human beings and officiated by human beings,” Denkinger said in an interview from his home.

“Everyone else said he should have been out. I was using my best judgment at that point, and I called it from the heart.”

Television replays appeared to show that Orta was out, and Commissioner Peter Ueberroth conceded Thursday that the call was bad.

He also said that Denkinger is one of the game’s best umpires and that human mistakes are “part of the game.”

Denkinger was also in the midst of a flap in the final game as he ejected Cardinal Manager Whitey Herzog and pitcher Joaquin Andujar.

“Things got a little goofy,” said Denkinger, who was the home plate umpire in that game. “Things happened that I thought were rather uncalled for under the circumstances.”

Andujar was ejected after he objected to ball-and-strike calls Denkinger was making.

“I know I had those ball/strike calls right on Andujar,” Denkinger said. “I was vindicated by the St. Louis papers and television stations. They all said I called them right. But the man goes goofy like that . . .

“I think Whitey knew exactly what he was doing when he brought in Andujar. The man is known to be volatile and excitable, and he’s a starter who doesn’t like relieving.”

Denkinger said he understands the frustration vented by some of the Cardinals.

“I’m sure the Cardinals were frustrated,” he said. “Any team that hits .188 for a seven-game series should be. I don’t think they should take it out on the officials.”

And Denkinger compared Andujar with Cardinal starter John Tudor, who was shelled and left early in Game 7.

“Tudor was in trouble and knew he was in trouble,” Denkinger said. “The class man that he is, he said, ‘Don’t look to the umpiring. The umpiring didn’t hurt me.’

“It’s a kick to work the World Series. It’s fun. At least, it’s supposed to be fun.”