Back again with my second installment about the 10 men in the hall who were umpires. Looking back and remembering some of the umps I do, I cannot help but wonder what has kept guys like Augie Donatelli and Shag Crawford out of the hall. Only the Vets committee knows for sure. But today’s story profiles a couple of pretty good umps and one really versatile one who excelled in another major sport. So let’s start.
Henry Martin Francis O’Day
Born July 8th 1859 in Chicago. Affectionately known as ” The Reverend”. The only one in MLB history who played, Managed and Umpired in the major leagues.
He umpired in the NL for 30 years. He worked 10 World Series, second only to Bill Klem’s 18. He was the home plate umpire for the first World Series ever in 1903. He was an umpire from 1895 to 1927. When he retired at a little over 68 years old, he was the oldest ump in history.
His father, James was a railroad engineer. His parents were immigrants from Ireland, go figure with a name like O’Day. And both of his parents were deaf. He had six siblings.
At one time while growing up in Chicago, his family lived about a block north of where the great Chicago fire started in ‘1871. He worked as a pipe fitter before he began his baseball journey.
He played for the Toledo Blue Stockings when they were part of the Northwest league in 1883. He reached the majors when Toledo joined the AA in 1884.
He played alongside Fleet Walker who was the first African American to play in the major leagues. He made his debut on May 2, 1884 and served as the team’s second pitcher behind Tony Mullane.
He also played 2nd, the OF, 1B, and 3rd. He also pitched for the Chicago White Stockings for a short while. In 1890 O’Day jumped to the players league and pitched for the New York Giants. He had his best season ever going 22-13 with a 4.21 ERA. He developed arm trouble and retired from playing in 1893. His career record was 73-110 with a 3.74 ERA and 663 K’s.
He worked for the city of Chicago for a while, and when attending a game in 1894 he was recruited to substitute for an ump who missed his train. He performed so well he was recruited to the NL the following season.
He was the home plate umpire in 1908 when the Giants and the Cubs were battling for the pennant, and when the Giants hitter got an apparent game winning hit, the runner on first, Fred Merkle, never went from first to second.
That was a common practice in that era, but the Cubs produced a ball, not necessarily the game ball, which had been thrown into the crowd of fans walking across the field to exit the park, and claimed a force play at 2nd which would negate the run. The debate erupted. Bob Emsile, the base umpire had been watching first to make sure the runner had reached base and had not seen the play at second. O’Day ruled that the force play had been valid, and the run did not count causing the game to end in a tie. It was getting dark.
The NL President upheld the decision, and a makeup game was scheduled. Chicago won the game and the pennant by one game. The play has been forever known as ” Merkle’s Boner”.
O’Day stepped away from umpiring twice in his career to manage. In 1912 he Managed the Reds, and in 1914, the Chicago Cubs. His combined record was 153-154.
He umpired in the World Series in 03,05, 07, 08, 10, 16, 18, 20, 23, 26. He was the home plate umpire for 4 no hitters. He was on the rules committee and became known for many heated debates over rule changes. In 1920 the issue of game winning hits in the bottom of the inning was being discussed and his position was that batters should only be credited with as many bases as were needed to score the winning run even if the ball was hit over the fence. His logic was you cannot score after the game is over. He was overruled and the rule was adopted. He did however succeed in keeping the rule from being retroactive.
He became an umpire-scout after retiring. But in March of 1935 he became seriously ill. He died on July 2, 1935 in Chicago. He was elected to the hall in 2012 by the veterans committee.
Robert Calvin Hubbard ( Cal )
Born on October 31, 1900 in Keytesville Missouri. After playing football at Centenary College and Geneva College, Hubbard played in the NFL from 1927-1936 with the New York Giants, Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Pirates. Yeah, the NFL also used the names of baseball teams. At one time there was a team in Brooklyn called the Dodgers. Who historically were playing the New York Giants on the radio on Dec 7th, 1941 and the game was interrupted for the announcement of the attack.
He umpired in the AL from 1936-51. To date he is the only person enshrined in the Baseball, Football, and College Football Hall of fame. He grew up in Missouri the son of a farmer. He graduated from Keytesville high, but also spent a year at nearby Glasgow high so he could play football. He was already tall and weighed 200 as a 14 year old.
He went to college and was Centenary’s first All American. In an era where 6 foot players were considered tall, Hubbard was noted for his great speed for a player his size. 6’2″ 253 lbs. He completed college in 1927 with a BA.
He joined the Giants in 27. He was part of a defense that allowed only 20 points all year as they won the championship. He won all league honors the following year. But he had a dislike of big cities, so during a road game in 1928 he requested a trade to the Packers threatening to retire if he was not traded.
Under coach Lambeau, he and the Packers won the NFL title the next 3 years. The 1929 team gave up just 22 points all year. He was on the all-league team 1931-33. Hubbard played tackle and linebacker. He retired in 1933 and took a job as a line coach at Texas A&M.
He had started to focus on an umpiring career even while he was playing football. He started doing that in the offseason in 1928. Called to the majors in 1936 he was soon recognized as one of the league’s best umpires. He worked 4 World Series and 3 all-star games.
He was injured in a hunting accident in 1951 when a pellet from a friends shotgun accidentally hit him in the eye. The damage was extensive enough to cause him to have to retire. He was hired as assistant supervisor, and in 1954 he became the head supervisor and held that job until he retired for good in 1969.
Never a fan of big cities, he moved to Milan Missouri for good in 1948. He developed emphysema and moved to St Pete in Florida. He was elected to the Football hall in 1963, the baseball hall in 1976, and the college hall in 1962. He died of cancer on Oct 17th 1977.
Bill McGowan
William A. McGowan. Born on Jan 14th, 1996. Umpired in the AL from 1926-1954. Only person in the Hall born in Delaware. He was born in Wilmington Delaware.
He began umpiring at the age of 17 in the Tri-State league. He in subsequent years umpired in the Virginia, International, NY State and Blue Ridge leagues. After serving in 1918 in the armed forces, he returned to the IL until 1922 and then joined the Southern Association until 1924. He joined the AL umpired his first game on April 14, 1925.
He worked in 8 World Series, and 4 All Star games. He spent the off season writing for the New Orleans Item. Mostly baseball related stories.
There is not much more info on him. He did umpire in 2,541 consecutive games. He founded one of the first umpire schools in the US. It was run by Al Somers after his death, and then taken over by the Wendelstedt family whose name is now the name of the school.
He was elected to the Hall in 1992 by the veterans committee. He passed away on Dec 9th, 1954 in Silver Spring Maryland. He had a son, and a foster son.
Albert Joseph Barlick
Al Barlick, born on April 16, 1915. Worked as an umpire in the NL for 28 seasons. He missed the 44-45 seasons because he was in the Coast Guard and the 56-57 seasons due to a heart condition.
Al was born in Springfield Illinois. His father was an Austrian immigrant who worked for 50 years in a coal mine in Peabody. Barlick dropped out of high school after 2 years to help support his family. He joined the CCC and worked in Washington, and Wisconsin.
He did not play much baseball as a kid, but often watched the game. During a coal strike, he was offered a dollar to umpire his first fame. He did play some outfield in semi pro, but according to him, he was mediocre. In August of 1936, the Northeast Arkansas league was in need of a replacement umpire and he was hired to work the last 4 weeks.
In 1937, he went to work in the class B Piedmont League. He moved to the Eastern league in 1939 and was promoted to the International league later that season.
Late in the 1940 season, Bill Klem was unable to work due to an injury, so Barlick was hired as his replacement. His debut was at Shibe Park in Philadelphia for a double header on September 8th. He was brought back for the 1941 season and at 26 was one of the youngest umpires in MLB history.
His first ejection came on July 27, 1941 when he ejected Dodger catcher Herman Franks for arguing the strike zone. He was selected as an ump for the 1942 All Star game in NY at the Polo Grounds.
He joined the Coast Guard in Nov of 1943 and spent the next couple of years on a cutter based out of the New London base in Connecticut. He returned to umpiring in 1946.
He umpired his first World Series that year. In 1947 he was the first base ump during Jackie Robinson’s debut. He worked the 49 All Star game. He was picked best umpire in the game in a poll of managers and coaches in the Sporting News in 1961.
He got disgusted in 1963 when ordered by the league to crack down on balks. He walked away from the game saying he was fed up and tired of the whole thing. But he was back after a few weeks off.
His crew worked the first game at the Astrodome. He went on tour with the Cardinals after the 1968 season to Japan for four weeks. His crew worked the first ever NLCS. He also umpired the last game at Forbes Field, and the first at Riverfront.
He worked 7 All Star games, and 7 World Series. He was also known for his loud calls behind home plate. After retiring he became a scout and a supervisor and held those positions for 22 years. He was elected to the Hall in 1989 by the Veterans committee. On Dec 27 he collapsed at his home and died the same day. He was survived by his wife, Jeanie and 2 children
Harold D. Harvey ( Doug )
Harvey was born on March 13th, 1930 in South Gate California. He worked as an umpire in the NL from 1962-1992. He was known for his authoritative command of baseball rules. He earned the tongue in cheek nickname, God from the players. He was also among the last MLB umpires who did not attend umpires school.
He did five World Series, and seven All Star games. He totaled 4,573 games in his career, 3rd in history at the time of his retirement. Ranked the second greatest ump in history by the Society for American Baseball Research in 1999. Second to Bill Klem.
Elected to the Hall in 2010. The 9th ump so honored. He was born in South Gate, but raised in San Diego. He began by officiating basketball games at the high school lever when he was 16. Later umpiring softball and baseball. He attended San Diego State College in 55-56 and played baseball and football. He returned to umpiring in the minor leagues while also officiating college basketball and football games. He remained a resident of San Diego throughout his umpiring career.
He started in the Cal League in 1958, graduated to the PCL in 1961. He got married in Sept of 1960 and he had two sons. Harvey umpired in his first game on April 10, 1962 at Dodger Stadium. The very first game there.
His major influences were Barlick, Conlan and Shag Crawford. He was the home plate umpire when the 3 Alou brothers batted consecutively in 1963. He was also behind the plate when the Cubs and Astros combined to hit 3 grand slams in a game. He was the home plate umpire when the Pirates opened Three River Stadium in 1970, and he was at second base in the final game of the 1972 season when Roberto Clemente collected his 3000th hit.
Of the five World Series he umpired in, 3 involved the Dodgers…74, 81, and 88. He was the home plate ump when Gibby hit his homer. He was the home plate umpire for the single game playoff between the Astros and Dodgers in 1980.
He was consistently rated as excellent in polls conducted of the players. His goal of umpiring until he was 65 was derailed when he had to retire at 62 due to a knee injury.
He became the first NL ump since Klem to work more than 30 years. When he first came to the league, calls were made quickly. But he changed attitudes when he said you should wait and make the correct call instead of anticipating.
He grew a handlebar moustache in 1971 at a time when no on field personnel had facial hair of any kind. The Oakland A’s started growing moustaches in 1972 to earn bonuses from owner Charlie Finley.
Harvey also was nicknamed Silver since his hair began to grey in his early 30’s. Elected to the Hall in 2010, he died of cancer at age 87 in 2018.
Well there they are. All 10 of the members of the Hall. Surprisingly to me, there are a few who I remember who I thought should be in the hall. Dusty Boggess, Shag Crawford, Babe Pinelli, Pinelli was the home plate ump for Larsen’s perfect game and umped for over 20 years. There are a few who will probably get some consideration over the next few years. Hopefully Joe West is not one of them.
Thank you for this very enjoyable article.
You are welcome…I enjoyed researching and writing it.
Thx Bear. Another historical home run! In your opinion any present day umpires worthy of Hall consideration
That would take some thinking on. Larry Barnett worked 30 years in the AL. He was from all accounts a pretty decent ump. I always thought Dusty Boggess was a pretty good umpire. But he did not have a really long career. There are several umps right now who are past 20 years in the league. I think those who reach 30 will get some consideration. A couple I think might make it who retired recently would be Tim McClelland, and Jim Joyce. Joyce is the ump who mistakenly called a runner safe at first and cost a pitcher a perfect game. But he had a lot of respect around the league from players. He also got a ton of sympathy for blowing that call. Ed Montague was well thought of also. Dale Scott was a very good ump and he was in the league for 30 years so he should get some pump. I would also think that Harry Wendelstedt belongs. His son was also an ump, and his impact on the job cannot be denied since his umpires school is still in operation. I honestly think, that even though he is not well liked, or respected all that much that Joe West will get in sooner or later. West started umpiring in the majors in 1976 and was hired full time in 1978. He missed some time when the umps went on strike and he was given the old heave ho. But he returned and has been active ever since. He is now just a full season and a half away from breaking Klem’s total games umpired record. And he is closing in on 40 seasons as an ump. So on longevity alone, he will probably make it. As for his music, well, he is awful.
Since there are only 10 umpires who have been elected to the HOF, it will take a very special person to get that next addition. Only two have been added this century…Doug Harvey (2010) and Hank O’Day (2013).
IMO, the next umpire that should go in should be Harry Wendelstedt. He was an umpire for 32 years, 5 WS, including two as crew chief, 7 NLCS, 4 ASG, and the first true three NLDS, 1995-1997 (discounting 1981). 1981 had a NLDS because of the strike creating a split season. He should be forever remembered by Dodger fans as he allowed Big D’s consecutive scoreless inning streak to continue. As many will recall, in 1968, the Giants loaded the bases with zero outs against Drysdale, with Dick Dietz at bat. Drysdale hit Dietz in the elbow that would have forced in a run, except Harry disallowed the HBP because Dietz did not make an attempt to get out of the way. Drysdale got out of the inning without giving up a run, and went on to collect his 5th consecutive shutout, and then proceeded to beat Walter Johnson’s 55 year old record with his 58 consecutive scoreless IP.
Very interesting, Bear, and also very enjoyable. Loved it. Always good to read about the other side, so to speak. Umpires, a few of them not exactly my favorite people, but for the most part, a needed part of the game. Not an easy job to do. Thank you for the article, Bear.
Glad to do it. I used to love when Vin would talk about some of the umps in the game. And he always mentioned the more colorful ones. Shag Crawford, Dusty Boggess, Babe Pinelli, and many others. Most of them I have forgotten their names. But there is a complete list of umps who have worked in MLB on the internet. Since 2000 all umpires now work under the MLB umbrella and move from league to league. Before that they were specific to the league that hired them. One reason some of Klem’s NL records for an umpire will never be broken since he spent his entire career in the NL. I really believe that West want’s the most MLB games umped in a career record, then he will retire. Can’t come soon enough for me since he is one of the most confrontational of all umpires. There are a couple others who have quick triggers too. One of the most infamous incidents involving West was the confrontation he had with Papelbon. It got physical and West tried to say that Papelbon initiated contact, which the video showed was false. West got a one game suspension, and Papelbon 7.
Didn’t West body slam someone once?
Not sure but he did have a pretty physical confrontation with Papelbon. I will read up on it and see what the skinny is.
Fun read – you left out Angel Fernandez!
Here’s the latest on Tommy:
Not a Hall of Famer Mark. Come on, ranked 31 out of 36? And he filed suit against the league for discrimination. Doubt he ever makes the hall. And he is another of those in your face umps.
I think that was tongue firmly in cheek.
He has cheeks? My favorite cheeks are Chip n Dale.I whole heartedly agree on Wendelstedt. His kid is
a pretty decent ump too. Another who is still on the job I think might make it some day is Randy Wolf’s brother Jim. well respected around the league and an excellent umpire. Hunter Wendelstedt has been in the league 20 years now.
Of the current umps, Jim Wolf is at the top of the list. HOF???
I would think so. Wolf is well liked and respected.
Angel Fernandez should be in the HOF for being the worst umpire in the history of the game.
Cheeky thing to say 😉
Agreed Mark.
Here’s my list of the worst:
Hernandez
CD Bucknor
Joe West
Tim Timmons
Ben May
Rob Drake
Here are guys who may be alright umpiring the game but have rabbit ears or a case of the red ass:
Joe Wesy again
Doug Eddings
Tony Rendazzo
Bob Davidson
Mile Everett
The best balls and strikes guys and overall calling the game:
Will Little
Ron Kulpa
Tom Hallian
Sam Holbrook – opted out
Braves signed Drew Smyly to a one year deal. One of the free agent chips falls.
That surprised me. Not that Atlanta signed him, but for $11MM. Robbie Ray $8MM and Drew Smyly $11MM. Maybe the teams have more $$$ than we have been led to believe. Not that they are the ultimate experts on FA predictions, by MLBTradeRumors had Smyly going back to SF for one year at $5MM. Scott Boras has to be doubled over laughing and rubbing his hands together in anticipation for James Paxton.
I was at a spring training game in Vero Beach and after a close play at first that went against the Dodgers a fan yelled out, “you’re too skinny to be a good ump”. The ump was slender and acknowledged the fan with a smile. Fans laughed.
Fun article Bear. Both articles on the umpires were great. Thanks for the research and great bios.
Joe West eventually being in the HOF is once again a tribute to his magnificent ego and see-promotion, if that happens.
I love the offseason when everybody with a wish-list and writers selling there stuff, propose trades, regardless of how ridiculous they are. Mostly, the wish-list folks just see a player they like that might be available and get excited about a deal to bring a guy to town. They have no knowledge of what their team stands financially, with payroll rules, compensation, luxury taxes and all all the considerations a GM and organization have to deal with. They just like the guy and think he’d be a good player for their team. Fortunately, many folks on this site know those matters thoroughly and know “why not” of potential deals.
I love an article this morning by Sarah Langs of MLB.com, on teams that could be in on obtaining Frankie Lindor. The why’s and why nots. The first thing that strikes me his how easy it is for writers and “wish-listers” to just suggest moving players around like chess pieces. Ole Sarah here had the Jays in the hunt for Lindor and you just move Bo Bichette to 3rd. Same with the Dodgers; you just move Cory Seager to 3rd, don’t sign JT, give up May, Beaty and Thomas and wallah, done deal. You keep Lindor for a year and if he goes free agent at the end of 2021, you let him go and move Seager back to short (ignoring the fact that Cory will be a free-agent, potentially, as well). Just like that.
It’s all harmless speculation I guess and holds our interest in baseball. (I’m writing about it so it got my attention). But how is it that speculators forget these guys are human beings with strong egos and a sense of pride in who they are and what position they play. Some pure hitters may not be as interested in where they play. Their position is in the box. But defensive minded players. especially shortstops, take a fierce pride in playing shortstop in the big leagues. They made it to the Big Leagues at the most demanding position facing home and don’t want to give that up, just because. Even if it is perceived by others that it benefits the team. We don’t know, but I bet Seager might not be jumping at the chance to play 3rd. And why should he. It might also be true for Smith being moved to the infield or Lux moving to left. The player’s wishes should be the strongest consideration, especially someone the caliber of Seager and needs to be discussed and considered before any moves are made. (I bet that’s happened already) These guys aren’t robots or chess pieces.
Thanks Phil. I try to be as thorough as I can and as accurate. Sometimes that boils down to what is on their Wikipedia page. I have to stifle myself sometimes when I read some of the moronic deals these people come up with. Most of the time like you state, it is simply what a fan wishes his team would do. I have read numerous posts saying the Dodgers need to trade for Lindor and move Corey, and not sign JT. A lot depends on whether or not the NL retains the DH, which I think will happen eventually. Everyone wants it now.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1327982927255195648
Just announced that Clevinger will need TJ surgery.
Preller will be doing everything he can to find the money for Bauer now. Maybe he can move Myers’ contract after the year he just had.
I am not sure they can move Myers contract. We are going to have to see what the terms of the two year extension Clevinger just received. It buys out his last two years of arbitration. What will probably happen (and has been widely speculated) is that Tommy Pham is going to be non-tendered. His arbitration figures to be in the $8MM range. They should pick up some $$$ there. I agree that San Diego is now a prime player in the Trevor Bauer carousel.
Just reported that Clevinger’s deal is $11.5MM. $3MM signing bonus. $2MM for 2021, and $6.5MM for 2022.
The Clevinger extension was 2 years/$11.5 MM.
I don’t think moving Myers will be easy but they have the prospects to throw at a team to make it more palatable. Or, if they have to I guess they could pay part of the remaining contract but that on top of paying Bauer might be too much for them.
Once the bidding for Bauer really gets underway (probably sometime around the Winter Meetings) it will be especially interesting because I’m guessing that Bauer will give us a running commentary on social media. I don’t care what anyone says, I think he’s good for baseball.
I often wonder what Curt Flood and Catfish think about today’s salaries and the state of MLB…
$4.43 M a year avg salary… Yikes…
Let me preface the following with saying I really like Seager and I would sign him long term right away…
Seager will never make me forget Ozzie, Omar or Barry!!!
Sooooo, that being said, you sit down with Boras and Seager and explain that his strength is the ability for him to forego SS and lets say get a Lindor thus making his TEAM stronger and another ring a great possibility… But alas we must tiptoe around the elephant(s) in the room… Shear cockamamie…
JT stays… Have we ruled out AJP as an older presence in the clubhouse???
For the stat folks… Should Jeff Kent be in the HOF…
Seeing Joe West work over the years make me happy with dumping home plate umps…
I’ll go back to my basement now… fatigued with our 85 deg. weather today
I think their jaws would drop. But remember Andy Messersmith was part of that too. I think AJ is a clubhouse presence, but I do not think he is one of the leaders down there. Right now that mantle would fall on CK and Mookie who has a ton of influence. Just look how much he helped Rios and Barnes.
Bear: Who was the umpire behind the plate when Larsen pitched his perfect game in the WS? I saw that game and to this day I think that last pitch was high and/or outside.
That was Babe Pinelli Richie. He retired after that World Series, so it was probably the last strike he ever called.
Although the pitch may have been a ball, many people think Mitchell went around on it so it was a swinging strike.
Exactly, if you watch the video, which is shot from behind him, it looks like Mitchell flinches a little on a pitch that was definitely out of the zone. And it was Babe Pinelli.
Brewers have said that they are opened to listening to offers for Hader. He has 3 more years of team control. He is projected to earn between 5-6 million this coming season.
I would kick the tires on Hader if I were the Dodgers for sure. Peter. Kent falls into the very good category. He does hold the all time record for HR’s by second baseman. But no trips to the World Series. Only an all star 5 times in 17 seasons. His post season stats are unremarkable. And in 7 years on the ballot, he has never gotten more than 27% of the vote. So, I say nay. The guys who would already be there had they not used PED’s are way in front of him in the percentage race. Even Bonds managed to get up into the 60% range. He might make it this year with there not being a very strong freshman class to the party. Manny has no shot, the media did not like him all that much. Sheffield is in his last year of eligibility I think. Clemens too. Personally, none of the PED guys make it if I had a say so. And until Gil Hodges gets in, the hall has lost a lot of credibility with me, His numbers are close to Tony Perez’s and he is in the hall.
Bear, the Hodges comment goes without saying…
Kent he may have been a b—hole to many, but I liked his game…
I couldn’t remember Messersmith’s name…
Peter, Kent was a very good player. But over all with the amount of years he has been on the ballot, and the fact that he was not all the prominent in the awards department makes him a fringe choice at best. In his 8th year on the ballot and never over 30%? Does not bode well. The favorites for election this year are supposed to be Schilling, Bonds and Clemens. All of them are in their 9th year on the ballot. Schilling got 70.1 % last year, Bonds and Clemens just over 60%. I think Schilling will make it over the top with no real viable new candidates. Like I said before, personally I do not think PED users should be in the hall. Gary Sheffield has 4 more shots to make it, but even he only garnered 30% of the vote last year. And he has way more credentials than Kent. 509 HR’s, 9 all star games, and he has a ring from when he was with the Marlins.
Peter there is an interesting story on MLB.com about the best player from each team not in the hall. Some interesting names on there. Beltre is listed twice, once for the Rangers and also as a Dodger. But he did not play all that long in LA so when he goes in, and I think he is a lock, it will be as a Ranger. Fred McGriff is on that list. He finished his career with exactly the same number of homers as Lou Gehrig, 493. Ortiz is not in yet. But I also think Big Papi is a lock. Guys like McGwire, Palmiero and Sosa. Who I do not think have a chance in hell of getting in. Interesting name is Dale Murphy. Murphy was a superstar on a mediocre team and I think the fact that he missed 400 homers by one, and the Braves were god awful cripples his case. But the guy was a back to back MVP and that does not happen often. Excellent fielder and a very good hitter. Of course the most controversial name on the list is Pete Rose and that debate will go one for years. I look at it this way. As long as he is alive and can benefit from election, I keep him out. After all, he accepted the ban. He also has never appologized for any of his bad behavior. He has petitioned the league numerous times for reinstatement and has been denied. If they let him in, they have to let Shoeless Joe in too.
https://www.mlb.com/news/dodgers-prospect-luis-rodriguez-eyeing-big-leagues