Bill McLean was the first famous umpire, officiating from the early 1870's until 1890, briefly holding a few major records. He umpired the first game in NL history on April 22, 1876, and was nicknamed "King of the Umpires." McLean, a fine umpire in the game's rowdy era, was also a former prizefighter.
Cy Rigler umpired from 1906 through 1935, and is best known as the first to raise his arm to signal a strike. Rigler, who called ten World Series and the very first all-star game in 1933, was also the youngest umpire in MLB history.
Lee Ballanfant called professional games for 41 seasons, including 22 years as a NL umpire from 1936 through 1957. A popular umpire with a reputation for being in position to make the call, Ballanfant worked four World Series and four all-star games.
Bill Summers was an AL umpire from 1933 through 1959. He called eight World Series and a record seven all-star games.
Babe Pinelli played third base in the Majors for eight seasons, twice topping the .300 mark. As an umpire, he called nearly 3,400 games across 22 seasons. He also umpired six World Series and four all-star games.
Bruce Froemming umpired from 1971 through 2007, a total of 37 seasons, which was the MLB record until 2015. He was the second umpire to work in 5,000 games, and holds career records for the most championship series and postseason games as an umpire.
I think umpires belong in the Hall, but I doubt we need anymore.
ReplyDeleteWhy is that? It may very well happen that another umpire will come who is more qualified than any of his predecessors. If umpires belong, then why not honor him?
DeleteWell, I don't mean we should never elect an umpire again. Just that none of these guys need to be elected.
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