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MLB Umpires

AG/DC Jun 25 2008 07:36 AM

How many MLB umps can we name? Active or inactive, living or deceased. Attempt to not look them up. You may google because you need help with spelling or something, but it's OK to post "Rene Whatshisname, who blew that call in the post-season sometime in the eighties." We'll figure out who you mean. Old American League umps are mostly ghosts to me anyhow. One per post. Once you post one, please let at least seven posts pass before posting again. If you can come up with a fact about the umpire you offer, all the better, but not necessary. I'll open with... Doug Harvey. Fact: nicknamed "God" by the players. Opinion masquerading as fact: overdue for the Hall of Fame.

Vince Coleman Firecracker Jun 25 2008 07:39 AM

Since you started with "God", I'll name his antithesis, Angel Hernandez.

Benjamin Grimm Jun 25 2008 07:41 AM

Don Denkinger. He made a bad call in the 1985 World Series that may have cost St. Louis a Worlds Championship. (Not that I minded, I was rooting hard against Whitey Herzog's team that year.)

TransMonk Jun 25 2008 07:42 AM

Dana DeMuth

batmagadanleadoff Jun 25 2008 07:50 AM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jun 25 2008 09:44 AM

Shag Crawford -- Not on the cover of the Mets 1971 yearbook.

mario25 Jun 25 2008 07:52 AM

Eric Gregg----big dude RIP

seawolf17 Jun 25 2008 07:54 AM

Ron Luciano - wrote some of the funniest baseball books ever.

Farmer Ted Jun 25 2008 07:54 AM

Pull up the old thread with the ump photos. Mug shot heaven.

Vince Coleman Firecracker Jun 25 2008 07:55 AM

="mario25"]Eric Gregg----big dude RIP Oh, man- I forgot about Gregg. It was always a happier day when he was working a game.

HahnSolo Jun 25 2008 08:42 AM

Big John McSherry Fact: Passed away on opening day in Cincinnati Note: Always called "Big John". It was never just John.

AG/DC Jun 25 2008 08:47 AM

Ed Montague Fact: His namesake father was a pre-war player and the scout who signed Willie Mays. Can you imagine the boner a scout gets when he stumbles through the grass and first sees a talent like Mays or Mantle?

Vince Coleman Firecracker Jun 25 2008 08:56 AM

Rick Reed, who's name would sometimes confuse me. He was in For the Love of the Game with Kevin Costner who was in JFK with Kevin Bacon.

Benjamin Grimm Jun 25 2008 08:57 AM

Rick Reed makes me think of another umpire with a Metly-sounding name: Gary Darling.

bmfc1 Jun 25 2008 09:07 AM

I only remember umpires that I dislike: Gary Darling Angel Hernandez CB Bucknor and now, Brian Runge. And the ump that called my son out on a pitch 6 inches outside of the strike zone last night. That guy, too.

TransMonk Jun 25 2008 09:07 AM

Man of the hour Brian Runge. Jerry says he's a master-baiter.

batmagadanleadoff Jun 25 2008 09:09 AM

HahnSolo wrote: Big John McSherry Fact: Passed away on opening day in Cincinnati Note: Always called "Big John". It was never just John. John McSherry. Big John McSherry. Collapsed while umpiring Home Plate of the 1996 Opening Day Game in Cincinatti, and died within the hour. Ironically. McSherry, who was believed to weigh close to 400 pounds, was scheduled to undergo a thorough medical and physical examination the next day. In response to McSherry's death, Marge Schott provided this, possibly semi-strange quote: "Snow this morning and now this. I don't believe it. I feel cheated. This isn't supposed to happen to us, not in Cincinnati. This is our history, our tradition, our team. Nobody feels worse than me." It was also believed that the flowers Marge Schott sent to McSherry's funeral service were actually flowers given to her on the day of the game by WLWT, the Reds' television affiliate in Cincinnati. According to the story, Schott hastily wrote a sympathy note and attached it to the flowers McSherry's death led to greater awareness by MLB, of the physical condition of its' umpires, and was the direct cause of Eric Gregg's subsequent leave of absence; Gregg dieted and returned to baseball signifcantly lighter. The Mets honored the memory of McSherry by wearing a commemorative "J.M. N.L. Umpire" patch on their right sleeves throughout the entire 1996 season.

Centerfield Jun 25 2008 09:12 AM

Tim Tschida. At least that's how I think you spell it. I got nothing on Tim, other than that he has an impressive porn stache. CB Bucknor, I think, was an ex-marine and on the field when some bozo from the stands decided to run onto the field. CB took him down and made him realize what a bad idea it was. Now I'm thinking it might have been Lance Barksdale. Crap. I suck at this.

batmagadanleadoff Jun 25 2008 09:15 AM

Dave Pallone. Pushed by Pete Rose during a Met game in 1988. Rose was subsequently suspended for 30 games. Pallone resigned from Baseball over allegations that he was involved with a teenage sex ring. Later wrote Behind the Mask, about his experiences as a homosexual Major League umpire.

seawolf17 Jun 25 2008 09:18 AM

Dutch Rennert, home plate umpire at the first MLB game I ever attended.

batmagadanleadoff Jun 25 2008 09:21 AM

seawolf17 wrote: Dutch Rennert, home plate umpire at the first MLB game I ever attended. Loudest umpire. Ever.

seawolf17 Jun 25 2008 09:29 AM

Maybe that's why I remembered him. (Or it's because I've looked it up and have his autograph on my wall.)

batmagadanleadoff Jun 25 2008 09:29 AM

="batmagadanleadoff"]Shag Crawford -- on the cover of the Mets 1971 yearbook. That's actually Stan Landes on the cover of the '71 Yearbook - not Shag Crawford. But Stan Landes was also a Major League Umpire. In fact, Stan Landes appeared on the cover of the Mets 1971 yearbook, poised to decide whether Dodger Manny Mota was safe or out on a play at the plate. _________________________ In Game Four of the '69 WS, Shag Crawford ejected Earl Weaver and also called JC Martin safe on a controversial play even though the Met pinch hitter ran outside of the runner's lane on the way to first base. Shag right there in the Marichal - Roseboro affair.

HahnSolo Jun 25 2008 10:11 AM

Fred Brocklander. Astros fans have never forgiven him for calling Craig Reynolds out at first in game 5 of the 1986 NLCS.

Gwreck Jun 25 2008 11:11 AM

Tim McClelland, home plate umpire in the pine tar game and also home plate umpire when Sosa was caught with a corked bat. Edit: Whoops, didn't read the rules that carefully.

Vince Coleman Firecracker Jun 25 2008 11:20 AM

Carlos Delgado's best friend, [url=http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3402805]Bob Davidson[/url].

Gwreck Jun 25 2008 03:02 PM

Davidson also called the two balks on Armando Benitez in an early '07 game that put Delgado in a position to win on a walk-off HR (which he hit).

AG/DC Jun 25 2008 05:20 PM

So far we've got: Lance Barksdale: Fact-Free. Wasn't the ump who won a confrontation with an attacking fan. Fred Brocklander: Contrversially called Craig Reynolds out at first in game five of the 1986 NLCS. CB Bucknor: Fact-Free. Wasn't the ump who won a confrontation with an attacking fan. Shag Crawford: Not on the cover of the Mets 1971 yearbook. Ejected Earl Weaver and also called JC Martin safe on a controversial play in the 1969 World Series. Gary Darling: Shared his last name with a Mets pitcher of the same era (and I believe wasn't allowed to ump any games when RJ pitched). Bob Davidson: Called the two balks on Armando Benitez in 2007 game that put Delgado in a position to win on a walk-off homer. Dana DeMuth: Fact-free. Don Denkinger: Cost the Cardinals a World Championship with a blown call. Eric Gregg: big dude who's dead. Doug Harvey: nicknamed "God." Angel Hernandez: The devil to Mets fans. Stan Landes: On the cover of the '71 Mets Yearbook. Ron Luciano: Wrote funny books. Tim McClelland: Is the Contraband King, home plate umpire in the pine-tar game and also home plate umpire when Sosa was caught with a corked bat. Big John McSherry: Bigger dude who died on the job on opening day and got only backhanded respect from Marge Schott. Ed Montague: His father signed Willie Mays. Dave Pallone: Pusshed by Pete Rose during a Met game in 1988, earning the Hit King a 30-game suspension. Gay and out. Resigned under a cloud. Rick Reed: Shared his name with a Mets pitcher of the same era. Dutch Rennert: Loud and proud. Brian Runge: Tossed Jerry Manuel and Carlos Beltran last night and was accused by Beltran of baiting. Tim Tschida: Has an impressive porn stache. Is that all you've got?

Frayed Knot Jun 25 2008 05:36 PM

Kerwin Dantley - looked like Butch Huskey

AG/DC Jun 25 2008 05:41 PM

Laz Diaz: Was the ump who won a fight with an attacking fan.

batmagadanleadoff Jun 25 2008 05:54 PM

="AG/DC"] Dave Pallone: Pusshed by Pete Rose during a Met game in 1988, earning the Hit King a 30-game suspension. Gay and out. Resigned under a cloud. A better title for Pallone's book, Behind the Mask, would've been Outed at the Plate. ____________ Ed Sudol. Umpired three marathon extra inning games involving the Mets, two as the home plate umpire: May, 1964 - Giants over the Mets in 23 innings. Casey's crew turns a triple play. April, 1968 Astros 1, Mets 0 in 24 innings. Longest shutout in Major League History. Boswell, Agee and Swoboda each take an 0 for 10 collar. "We hope you are enjoying tonight's third game as much as you enjoyed the first two." - Astrodome scoreboard message in the 20th inning. September, 1974 - Cards 4, Mets 3 in 25 innings. Dave Schneck extends himself over the outfield wall in the 12th inning to rob Redbird Rookie Keith Hernandez of a game-winning HR. Sudol was also the left field ump at Shea Stadium during the Rose-Bud Mets-Reds playoff game in 1973. Sudol ducked about as many bottles as Pete did.

seawolf17 Jun 25 2008 06:26 PM

Bruce Froemming, the elder statesman of umpires.

Vince Coleman Firecracker Jun 25 2008 07:32 PM

Umm, does [url=http://www.missingsaddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/enrico.jpg]Enrico Pallazzo[/url] count?

Gwreck Jun 25 2008 10:48 PM

Mike Winters, was suspended last year for baiting Milton Bradley into a fight (Milton tore his ACL when restrained from attacking Winters). Rich Garcia, moron who screwed Tony Tarasco and all other right-thinking fans in the 1996 ALCS. Terry Cooney, umpire who ejected Clemens in second inning of a 1990 ALCS between Oakland and Boston.

Gwreck Jun 25 2008 10:52 PM

Charlie Reliford and Doug Eddings, umpires who should have ejected Clemens for his attacks on Piazza.

AG/DC Jun 25 2008 10:59 PM

One at a time if you will, brother. Got to be some give and take.

Gwreck Jun 26 2008 06:54 AM

Stupid rules. :)

Frayed Knot Jun 26 2008 07:15 AM

Emmit Ashford. AL ump who was, I believe, MLB's first black umpire. Very energetic guy who'd run out to his position and make animated calls on the bases. Players liked him (IIRC) although Jim Bouton mentioned (either in 'Ball Four' or its sequel) that Ashford's fellow umps would snicker behind his back while treating his actions as clownish and rarely associate with him outside the park.

soupcan Jun 26 2008 07:33 AM

Ted Barrett. Nephew of former USC head football coach and present SF 49s asst. head coach Ted Tollner.

seawolf17 Jun 26 2008 07:38 AM

Paul Runge, another name confusion guy.

AG/DC Jun 26 2008 07:40 AM

Terry Tata: I can recall his name, but can't come up with any facts about him. I think he was one of the umps that the arbitrator ordered MLB to rehire, but I think he just sent ahead with his retirement. I think he disappeared around that time.

Frayed Knot Jun 26 2008 12:12 PM

Nestor Shylock (sp?) Another AL umpire who had no effect on Met games but I only remember for his name. For a short time it became a thing among a group of us (around 15 y/o or so) to yell out that name whenever something happened just because it sounded cool and offbeat. A nice catch, for instance, during a ballgame would bring out cries of 'NESTOR SHYLOCK' from the others. I have no idea how it started or why.

AG/DC Jun 26 2008 12:20 PM

I did some digging on him. Correct spelling is "Nestor Chylack." Funny thing is that his colleague Durwood Merrill wrote a book called You're Out! ...and You're Ugly Too! (har!), in which he regularly spelled it "Shylock."

seawolf17 Jun 26 2008 12:31 PM

AG/DC wrote: I did some digging on him. Correct spelling is "Nestor Chylack." Funny thing is that his colleague Durwood Merrill wrote a book called You're Out! ...and You're Ugly Too! (har!), in which he regularly spelled it "Shylock." Extra funny that you spelled it wrong there too.

Gwreck Jun 26 2008 12:57 PM

Tony Randazzo. I remember him being a villainous umpire who blew a call against the Mets in the last year or two but cannot remember the rest of the details.

Valadius Jun 26 2008 03:28 PM

[url]http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AvjPQiDgA1Yul6nHRWJ4v_I5nYcB?slug=ap-umpiresuspended&prov=ap&type=lgns[/url] ]Umpire suspended by MLB NEW YORK (AP)—Umpire Brian Runge was suspended for one game Thursday for bumping into New York Mets manager Jerry Manuel before ejecting him earlier in the week. Manuel and center fielder Carlos Beltran also were fined by Major League Baseball for arguing with Runge in the fourth inning of the Mets’ game against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday. Beltran started talking to Runge after he took two called strikes from R.A. Dickey to begin the inning. Runge took off his mask and continued the dialogue before he brushed dirt off home plate. Manuel then came out and started arguing. Runge bumped into Manuel before throwing him out of the game. The manager walked to the bench after getting a few more words in as the Shea Stadium crowd roared. Beltran continued the conversation and Runge quickly threw him out. An incensed Beltran then got in Runge’s face and had to be held back before Manuel came out to escort the All-Star to the dugout. MLB said Runge’s suspension will be served immediately.

AG/DC Jun 26 2008 03:35 PM

AG/DC Aug 30 2008 10:35 AM

Frank Pulli: First ump to use instant replay in 1999 by asking the first base cameraman to show him a possible home run play. Also the ump who didn't call interference on Reggie Jackson in 1978, causing Tommy Lasorda's head to explode.