On December 9, 1954, former umpire Bill McGowan died at the age of 58 at his home in Silver Spring, Maryland, two days after suffering a heart attack. McGowan umpired in the American League from 1925 until his death, officiating in eight World Series. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1992.
1948 – An unprecedented 10-game suspension and $500 fine of an umpire, the veteran Bill McGowan, is announced by American League President Will Harridge following a confrontation in the Washington-Cleveland game. Tired of Senator pitcher Ray Scarborough continually complaining about strike calls, McGowan threw a ball-and-strike indicator at him. After that, he ejected Nats manager Joe Kuhel and several coaches. Kuhel also lodged a protest after yesterday’s 11th-inning loss when Ed Stewart was thrown out at home in the 10th. When Stewart argued the call with plate ump Joe Paparella, McGowan threw a ball at Stewart.
Umpire Bill Klem retires and is appointed National League chief of staff.
A rhubarb at Ebbets Field results in a suspension and fine for Leo Durocher for “inciting a riot.” Perhaps better known from the game is the photo showing an obese Brooklyn fan astride George Magerkurth, pummeling the veteran umpire.
On June 7, 1938, at Fenway Park umpire Bill McGowan orders Cleveland pitcher Johnny Allen to trim off the tattered sleeves of his undershirt because they distract opposing batters. The ill-tempered Allen had cut the sleeves of one of his sweatshirts and worn it under his jersey during several of his starts in ’38. He…
1935 – Firpo Marberry resigns as American League umpire to sign with the New York Giants as a pitcher.
NFL standout Cal Hubbard becomes an American League umpire. The former Green Bay Packers offensive tackle will become the only person to be enshrined at both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Baseball Hall of Fame.
At the Polo Grounds, umpire Charlie Pfirman officiates in his 1,700th consecutive National League game, as Carl Hubbell leads the New York Giants to a 1 – 0 victory over Fred Frankhouse the Boston Braves.
On June 17, 1931, longtime umpire and future Hall of Famer Tommy Connolly announces his retirement. Connolly, who had worked the first game in American League history in 1901, will become the supervisor of AL umpires. Baseball HOT ON EBAY Card Collections ENDING SOON ON EBAY MOST WANTED ROOKIE CARDS VINTAGE SPORTS TICKETSBaseball Hall of…
After being called out for trying to stretch a single into a double, Babe Ruth throws dirt the umpire’s eye, then goes after a heckler in the stands, and finishes his tirade by standing on the dugout roof calling the crowd “yellow” cowards. These actions will result in a one game suspension and a $200 fine, and will cost the ‘Bambino’ his Yankee captaincy, a position he has held for less than a week.
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