Upon graduating from Belleville High School in 1956, Zipfel signed with the New York Yankees as a free agent. He steadily progressed through the Yankees\' minor league system over the next few years, showing some potential as a big (6\'3" tall) slugging left-handed first baseman.\n', '

On December 14, 1960, Zipfel was picked by the Los Angeles Angels in the 29th round of the 1960 Major League Baseball expansion draft and was then immediately traded to the Washington Senators for infielder Ken Hamlin. The Senators sent him to the minor leagues, and he had his best statistical season in 1961 playing for Syracuse Chiefs, batting .312 with 18 home runs over 101 games.\n', '

Zipfel had an "impressive" spring training with the Senators in 1961, and after continuing his powerful hitting for a few months in the minor leagues, made his major league debut with the Senators on July 26, 1961. He remained on the big league squad for the rest of the season as a backup 1st baseman, but his hot bat cooled, and he hit .200 with only 4 home runs over 50 games.\n', '

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