He officiated in five American League Championship Series (1976, 1980, 1987, 1992, 1997), and in three All-Star games (1977, 1991, 1996), calling balls and strikes in 1991.
[4] Brinkman was also the crew chief during the Pine Tar Incident between the Kansas City Royals and New York Yankees on July 24, 1983.
Brett immediately ran out of the dugout toward the umpires, and disputed the call so vehemently that Brinkman had to grab him around the neck to keep him from attacking McClelland.
American League president Lee MacPhail later overturned the umpires' ruling upon a protest by the Royals, and the home run was restored.
Brinkman likened the red coats to making AL umpires look like "a bunch of Captain Kangaroos" in cold weather.
Brinkman was the last active umpire to have worked in the American League prior to the establishment of the Designated Hitter for the 1973 season.
Brinkman was also the home plate umpire for Game 6 of the 1995 World Series between the Cleveland Indians and the Atlanta Braves.