Major League Baseball Umpire. Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1953, Connolly was a Major League Umpire for 34 years. He was elected by the veteran's committee with Bill Klem, the first two umpires to be inducted. His family emigrated to America from Manchester, England when he was 13 years old. He never played organized baseball and grew up playing cricket. He first began to umpire amateur baseball games until he was discovered by Major League umpire, Tim Hurst. Connolly was recruited to officiate games in the New England minor league in 1894. He was placed on the National League umpire roster in 1898 and resigned during the 1900 season after disagreements with the league president regarding the league's support of a decision that he made during a game. He signed on with the new American League in 1901 and umpired the first ever American League game on April 24, 1901. He umpired the inaugural games at Comiskey Park, Fenway Park, Yankee Stadium and eight World Series contests, including the first official World Series in 1903. He also worked the plate during Addie Joss's perfect game in 1908, and tossed Babe Ruth from a game in 1922, the last ejection for either of them. Known as a calm and dignified disciplinarian, he approached his job methodically. Connolly withdrew from umpiring in 1931 to become the first supervisor of umpires and served in that capacity until 1954. He retired to his home in Natick, Massachusetts where he died in 1961 when he was 90 years old.
Major League Baseball Umpire. Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1953, Connolly was a Major League Umpire for 34 years. He was elected by the veteran's committee with Bill Klem, the first two umpires to be inducted. His family emigrated to America from Manchester, England when he was 13 years old. He never played organized baseball and grew up playing cricket. He first began to umpire amateur baseball games until he was discovered by Major League umpire, Tim Hurst. Connolly was recruited to officiate games in the New England minor league in 1894. He was placed on the National League umpire roster in 1898 and resigned during the 1900 season after disagreements with the league president regarding the league's support of a decision that he made during a game. He signed on with the new American League in 1901 and umpired the first ever American League game on April 24, 1901. He umpired the inaugural games at Comiskey Park, Fenway Park, Yankee Stadium and eight World Series contests, including the first official World Series in 1903. He also worked the plate during Addie Joss's perfect game in 1908, and tossed Babe Ruth from a game in 1922, the last ejection for either of them. Known as a calm and dignified disciplinarian, he approached his job methodically. Connolly withdrew from umpiring in 1931 to become the first supervisor of umpires and served in that capacity until 1954. He retired to his home in Natick, Massachusetts where he died in 1961 when he was 90 years old.
Bio by: K Guy
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