LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Southern League president Don Mincher was named the "2010 King of Baseball" on Thursday night at the annual Baseball Winter Meetings Banquet. The "King of Baseball" is a long-standing tradition in which Minor League Baseball salutes a veteran from the professional baseball world for long-time dedication and service.

Mincher, who has been involved in baseball for more than a half century, has presided over the Double-A Southern League since 2000. He has been in the league since 1984, when he became general manager of the Huntsville Stars. Ten years later, Mincher was part of a group that purchased the club.

A 13-year Major Leaguer, Mincher capped his playing career by winning a World Series ring as a member of the Oakland Athletics in 1972. The two-time American League All-Star hit 200 home runs during his big league career with the Minnesota Twins, California Angels, Seattle Pilots, Washington Senators, Texas Rangers and A's.