|
|
|
|
|
|
Resources |
|
|
|
Umpires in Cooperstown
| Article
# : |
23430 |
|
|
Section : |
CULTURE
|
| Issue
Date : |
10 / 2003 |
334 Words |
| Author
: |
William S. Connery
William S. Connery is Current Issues editor at The World & I. |
Since 1939, only eight umpires have been deemed fit to enter the Baseball Hall of Fame. No umpires were elected to the hall until 1953, when Tom Connolly and Bill Klem were chosen by the Veterans Committee. Connolly had umpired in the first thirty years of the American League; he was known as a calm and fair disciplinarian, who had once gone ten consecutive seasons without ejecting a player. Klem had umpired from 1905 until 1941 in the National League, spending his first sixteen years exclusively behind home plate due to his excellent ability in calling balls and strikes. Klem also originated arm signals to coincide with his calls.
Billy Evans entered the Hall of Fame in 1973. Praised for his fairness and superior integrity, he became an umpire at 22 and served for twenty-one years. The next ump selected was Jocko Conlan in 1974. While playing outfield for the Chisox in 1935, one of the regular umpires was overcome by heat and Conlan was asked to fill in. The following year he devoted his efforts full-time to his new career.
In 1976, one of the greatest "unknown" athletes was elected. Cal Hubbard is the only man enshrined in the pro football, college football, and baseball halls of fame. Hubbard called the shots in the American League from 1936 through 1951 and then supervised other umpires for an additional fifteen years.
Al Barlick joined the esteemed company in 1989. A professional umpire for five decades, Barlick was known for his booming calls, clear and decisive hand signals, and knack of defusing rough situations. He was followed in 1992 by Bill McGowan, who could be called the Cal Ripken of umpires. Known for his aggressive gestures and
... (1998 of 2019 Characters)
Read Full Article
|
|
