On July 7, 1991, American League umpire Steve Palermo is shot outside of the restaurant, Campisi’s Egyptian Restaurant in Dallas, Texas. Considered one of the best arbiters in the game, Palermo will make a recovery from serious injuries, but will not return to major league umpiring. Palermo and another man were shot early this morning…
After his request for time-out isn’t granted by the home plate umpire Mike Reilly, Bo Jackson recovers in time to hit a home run despite not being set in the batter box when the pitch is delivered. The Royals left fielder’s fourth-inning three-run poke off Jeff Ballard contributes to Kansas City’s 6-3 victory over Baltimore at Memorial Stadium.
On April 16, 1987, Hall of Fame umpire Jocko Conlan dies in Scottsdale, Arizona, at the age of 89. Conlan served as an American League arbiter from 1941 to 1965 after a brief major league playing career with the Chicago White Sox. He also umpired in five World Series. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1974.
On May 27, 1981, Lenny Randle of the Seattle Mariners tries to blow a ground ball into foul territory. After initially calling the ball foul, home plate umpire Larry McCoy reverses his call and awards Amos Otis of the Kansas City Royals with a controversial infield single. Randle’s explanation that he was merely yelling at…
White Sox third base coach Bobby Winkles, baserunner Mike Squires and manager Tony LaRussa go off on third base umpire Fredd Spenn in Arlington, Texas on July 17, 1980 after Spenn had called Squires out on an attempt to steal the base. All three argued he was safe, but the ump got the last word,…
1979 – Major League Baseball umpires meet in Chicago, IL and vote 50-2 to reject new offers from the American and National leagues. They will be on strike when the season starts in a few days.
On July 14, 1972, umpire Bill Haller works the game between the Kansas City Royals and Detroit Tigers, who feature Bill’s brother, Tom, as their catcher. The occasion marks the first time in major league history that the home plate umpire and a participating player are brothers. The arbitrator plays no favorites when his younger…
On June 24, 1972 Culminating a long battle to reach pro baseball, Bernice Gera umpires the first game of a doubleheader between Auburn and Geneva (New York-Penn League). Several disputes take place and she ejects the Auburn manager, Nolan Campbell. Gera resigns before the second game, leaving in tears, saying resentment from the other umps was a factor in her decision. She will later work…
On January 13, 1972, Bernice Gera wins her lawsuit against Organized Baseball, initiated on March 15, 1971, clearing the way for her to make her umpiring debut in the New York-Penn League during the summer. Gera, who had initiated the suit in 1971, will umpire just one game before deciding to call it quits. …
On March 15, 1971 — Bernie Gera a 39-year-old New York housewife files a civil rights suit against MLB when her contract to umpire in the New York-Penn League becomes void after six days without an explanation. The New York Court of Appeals, in an eventual landmark 5-2 decision, will uphold a previous…