Overview

Val Raymond Heim (November 4, 1920 – November 21, 2019) was an American professional baseball player who reached the major leagues during the 1942 season. A left fielder by trade, Heim had a brief stay in the majors with the Chicago White Sox and is remembered for his place in mid-20th-century baseball and his long life spanning nearly a century.

Physical profile and playing style

Heim was listed at 5 ft 11 in and 170 lb, batted left-handed and threw right-handed. Contemporary descriptions emphasize that he was a contact-oriented hitter with the speed and fielding ability typical of outfielders of his era. Because his major-league tenure was short, much of his playing reputation is preserved through minor-league records and local recollections.

Baseball career

Heim's major-league appearance came in 1942 with the Chicago White Sox. Like many players of the early 1940s, his professional timeline intersected with the upheavals of World War II, a period when rosters and opportunities changed rapidly. Records show he played professionally both before and after his time in the majors, representing the pattern of many ballplayers who spent most of their careers in the minor leagues while making shorter major-league appearances.

Later life and legacy

Born and raised in Superior, Nebraska, Heim returned to his home state later in life and died at his childhood home on November 21, 2019. His longevity made him one of the older former major-league players at the time of his passing, and he remained part of Nebraska's sporting memory. Local histories and baseball reference sources note his 1942 major-league service as the high point of a broader baseball career.

Notable facts and context

  • Major-league tenure: 1942 season with the Major League Baseball Chicago White Sox organization.
  • Batting and throwing: batted left, threw right — a common combination that can benefit hitters facing right-handed pitching.
  • Hometown ties: Born in and later died in Superior, Nebraska, where he remained a local figure.

Heim's story is typical of many professional ballplayers of his generation: a promising athlete who reached the majors for a short time and whose full career is best understood by combining major- and minor-league records with community remembrance. For readers seeking statistical detail or contemporary accounts, baseball reference compilations and regional histories provide the most complete sources.