Major League Baseball Umpire. For nineteen years (1966 to 1985), he officiated games in the American League. Born Martin John Springstead, he attended Mount Saint Michael Academy in the Bronx where he was a multi-sport athlete who excelled in baseball, basketball and track. He studied Advertising at Farleigh Dickinson University (New Jersey) and briefly played semi-pro baseball, prior to beginning his training as an umpire. From 1960 to 1965 (including a two-year stint while serving with the US Army), he rose through the Minor League ranks and was promoted to the Major League level in 1966. He became the youngest man to serve as crew chief of a World Series, when he accomplished this at age 36 during the 1973 Fall Classic (Athletics against Mets). He went onto officiate in five American League Championship Series (1970, 1974, 1977, 1981 and 1984), the 1978 and 1983 World Series and three All-Star contests (1969, 1975 and 1982). Springstead was also well known for his often heated arguments with Orioles' Hall of Fame manager Earl Weaver, including one which led to a forfeited game in 1977. From 1986 until 2010, he served as the American League's executive director of umpires and later an umpire supervisor.
Major League Baseball Umpire. For nineteen years (1966 to 1985), he officiated games in the American League. Born Martin John Springstead, he attended Mount Saint Michael Academy in the Bronx where he was a multi-sport athlete who excelled in baseball, basketball and track. He studied Advertising at Farleigh Dickinson University (New Jersey) and briefly played semi-pro baseball, prior to beginning his training as an umpire. From 1960 to 1965 (including a two-year stint while serving with the US Army), he rose through the Minor League ranks and was promoted to the Major League level in 1966. He became the youngest man to serve as crew chief of a World Series, when he accomplished this at age 36 during the 1973 Fall Classic (Athletics against Mets). He went onto officiate in five American League Championship Series (1970, 1974, 1977, 1981 and 1984), the 1978 and 1983 World Series and three All-Star contests (1969, 1975 and 1982). Springstead was also well known for his often heated arguments with Orioles' Hall of Fame manager Earl Weaver, including one which led to a forfeited game in 1977. From 1986 until 2010, he served as the American League's executive director of umpires and later an umpire supervisor.
Bio by: C.S.
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