Hall of Fame Major League Baseball Umpire. From his hometown of Olyphant, Pennsylavania he became one of the American League’s most skillful and respected umpires. His umpiring career almost never happened because of a World War II injury. While serving for the US Army in Europe, he was wounded by a piece of shrapnel during the Battle of the Bulge. The injury caused by the exploding shell almost took his eyesight. He was awarded both the Purple heart and Silver Star for his service. Following the war he began umpiring amateur baseball. In 1947 he began his professional career umpiring in the Pony League before moving up to the Canadian-American League in 1950, the International League in 1952 and reaching the Major Leagues in 1954. During his twenty-five year American League career he umpired in three Championship Series (including the first one ever played), five World Series and six All-Star Games. In 1978 he became an assistant league supervisor of umpires. Four years later, he died in Dunmore, Pennsylvannia of a heart attack. In 1999 he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Hall of Fame Major League Baseball Umpire. From his hometown of Olyphant, Pennsylavania he became one of the American League’s most skillful and respected umpires. His umpiring career almost never happened because of a World War II injury. While serving for the US Army in Europe, he was wounded by a piece of shrapnel during the Battle of the Bulge. The injury caused by the exploding shell almost took his eyesight. He was awarded both the Purple heart and Silver Star for his service. Following the war he began umpiring amateur baseball. In 1947 he began his professional career umpiring in the Pony League before moving up to the Canadian-American League in 1950, the International League in 1952 and reaching the Major Leagues in 1954. During his twenty-five year American League career he umpired in three Championship Series (including the first one ever played), five World Series and six All-Star Games. In 1978 he became an assistant league supervisor of umpires. Four years later, he died in Dunmore, Pennsylvannia of a heart attack. In 1999 he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Bio by: Bigwoo
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