Career
A first baseman, he had an 11-year professional career, although his tenure in Major League Baseball consisted of 13 games for the 1966 California Angels. He threw and batted left-handed, stood 6 feet 3 inches (191 m) tall and weighed 207 pounds (94 kg). Vinson was signed originally by the New York Yankees but played only one year in the Rookie-level Appalachian League before the Angels selected him in the 1963 first-year player draft.
He spent three full years in the Angels" farm system and was called up in September 1966 after a 19-home run, 84-Reserve Bank of India season in the Pacific Coast League.
He started seven games at first base during the 1966 season"s final month. One of the hits was Vinson"s only MLB home run, hit off relief pitcher Eddie Fisher, a knuckleballer.
Vinson also had two doubles among his four Major League hits to go along with his home run. He retired in 1973.
