Recently, reviled Major League Baseball umpire Angel Hernandez retired, which caused many/most fans to celebrate gleefully. Including myself--he was terrible. But, this incident caused me to think a little about umpires. The stereotypical umpire is often old, and obviously out of shape. (There are exceptions, of course, but the rotund ones are often the most famous, or infamous.) Anyway, it was much more common in baseball's earlier days, but there were quite a few guys who played major league baseball, and then later umpired. So I thought I'd take a look at these men. In general, most player/umps were in one of two camps--they were either good or great players who then umpired briefly, or fringe players with brief careers that then umpired for decades. And some had long careers in both, or neither. A few players, notably Hughie Jennings, Willie Keeler, and King Kelly (and maybe Chuck Klein?) umpired a handful of games as a substitute when an umpire got hurt or sick during a game. I'm not counting them, since they weren't official, full time umpires. For the playing statistics, the slash--.200/.300/.400 is batting average/on base percentage/slugging average. For OPS adjusted, 100 is average. For pitchers, the average for ERA adjusted is also 100, so below is bad, and above is good. Finally, I'm also including the statistic WAR (wins above replacement).
Guys with long playing careers and brief umpiring careers:
1) William "Kitty" Bransfield. Kitty was a first baseman who played in 1898, and 1901-11, with several teams, including the Chicago Cubs, Boston Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, etc. In 1330 games he slashed .270/.304/.353, for an adjusted OPS of 98, and a WAR of 10.2. He was a National League ump in 1917 only.
2) Bob Caruthers. Caruthers was an outfielder/pitcher from 1884-1893 with the St. Louis Browns (American Association), Brooklyn Superbas (later the Dodgers), and St. Louis Cardinals. His lifetime won-loss record was 218-99, his ERA was 2.83, and his adjusted ERA was 122. At the plate he slashed .282/.391/.400 for an adjusted OPS of 134. His lifetime WAR was 59.5. He was an American League ump from 1902-03.
3) Thomas Corcoran. Thomas was a shortstop/second baseman from 1890-1907 with Brooklyn and Cincinnati in the National League. He slashed .256/.290/.335, for an adjusted OPS of 74 and a WAR of 20.2. He was an umpire for the brief Federal League in 1915 only.
4) Montford Cross. Cross was a shortstop with the Philadelphia Phillies and Athletics, and the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1892, and from 1894-1907. He slashed .234/.316/.313 for an adjusted OPS of 80, and a WAR of 16.7. He was a umpire in the Federal League in 1914.
5) John Doyle. Doyle was a first baseman/catcher/outfielder from 1889-1905, with the New York Giants, Brooklyn Superbas, Philadelphia Philllies,etc. He slashed .299/.351/.385, with an adjusted OPS of 105 and a WAR of 25.9. He was a National League ump in 1911.
6) J. Francis "Frank" Dwyer. Dwyer was a pitcher/right fielder with the Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs, etc. from 1888-1899. His won-loss record was 177-151, and his ERA was 3.84 (114 adjusted). He slashed .229/.273/.297, for an adjusted OPS of 52. His lifetime WAR was 41.1. He umped in the National League in 1901, and in the American League in 1904.
7) Walter " Butch" Henline. Henline was a catcher for the Philadelphia Phillies, Brooklyn Dodgers, and Chicago White Sox from 1921-31. He slashed .291/.361/.414, with an adjusted OPS of 97, and a lifetime WAR of 7.7. He was a National League umpire from 1945-48. He lost his job for frequenting bars allegedly popular with bookmakers.
8) Harry Howell. Howell was a pitcher/outfielder/third baseman from 1898-1910 with the Baltimore Orioles and Brooklyn Superbas. His lifetime won-loss record was 131-146, with and ERA of 2.74 (108 adjusted). He slashed .217/.257/.319, for an adjusted OPS of 69. His career WAR was 34.2. He was a Federal League ump in 1915.
9) Arthur Irwin. Irwin was a shortstop/third baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies and Providence Grays from 1880-1894. He slashed .241/.299/.305 (81 adjusted), for a career WAR of 15.2. He umped in the National League in 1902.
10) Sherwood Magee. Magee was an outfielder/first baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds, and Boston Red Sox from 1904-19. He slashed .291/.364/.427 for an adjusted OPS of 137, and a WAR of 59.4. (He also won a batting title and a World Series.) He was an ump in 1928, before dying tragically young.
11) Frederick "Firpo" Marberry. Marberry pitched for the Washington Senators, Detroit Tigers, and New York Giants from 1923-36. His lifetime won-loss record was 148-88, and his ERA was 3.63 (116 adjusted). He accumulated 30.7 WAR. He umped briefly, in the American League in 1935.
12) Al Orth. Orth was a pitcher/outfielder from 1885-1909 with the Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, and Washington Senators. His won-loss record was 204-189, and his ERA was 3.37 (100 adjusted). At the plate he slashed .273/.298/.366 (92 OPS adjusted), and his career WAR was 51.3. He was an umpire in the National League from 1912-17.
13) George Pipgras. Pipgras pitched for the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox from 1923-35. His won-loss record was 102-73, and his ERA was 4.09 (99 adjusted). His lifetime WAR was 10.8. He umpired in the American League from 1939-45.
14) James Scott. Scott pitched for the Chicago White Sox from 1909-17, finishing with a won-loss record of 107-114, and an ERA of 2.30 (121 adjusted). His career WAR was 25.4. He was an umpire in the National League from 1930-31.
15) Tim Keefe. Keefe pitched from 1880-1893 with the New York Giants, Troy Trojans, Philadelphia Phillies, etc. His lifetime won-loss record was 342-225, and his career ERA was 2.63 (126 adjusted). His WAR was 86.9, and not surprisingly, he's in the Hall of Fame. He umped in the National League from 1894-96.
16) William "Spike" Shannon. Shannon was an outfielder with the New York Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, and Pittsburgh Pirates from 1904-08. He slashed .259/.337/.293 for an adjusted OPS of 96, and a WAR of 5.5. He umpired in the Federal League from 1914-15.
17) Bobby Wallace. Wallace was a shortstop/third baseman/pitcher for the St. Louis Browns, St. Louis Cardinals, and Cleveland Spiders from 1894-1918. He slashed .268/.332/.358, for an adjusted OPS of 105. On the mound he had a won-loss record of 24-22, with a 3.87 ERA (125 adjusted). His lifetime WAR was 76.9, and he's in the Hall of Fame. He was an American League umpire for 1915 only.
18) Edward Walsh. Walsh pitched for the Chicago White Sox and Boston Braves from 1904-17. His lifetime won-loss record was 195-126, and his lifetime ERA was 1.82 (146 adjusted). If you're thinking, wow, that's a great ERA, you're right--it's the lowest ERA for qualifiers ever. Walsh had a WAR of 66.5, and obviously is a Hall of Famer. He umped in the American League in 1922.
19) Lonnie Warneke. Lonnie pitched with the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals from 1930-43, and 1945. His lifetime record was 192-121, with a 3.18 ERA (119 adjusted). His career WAR was 45.8. He was a National League umpire from 1949-55.
Guys with brief playing careers and long umpiring careers:
1) George Hildebrand. George played outfield in only 11 games for the Brooklyn Superbas in 1902. His lifetime slash was .220/.289/.244, for an adjusted OPS of 65, and a WAR of 0.2. He then umpired in the American League from 1913-34.
2) Bill Kunkel: Kunkel pitched for the Kansas City A's and New York Yankees from 1961-63, finishing with a record of 6-6, and an ERA of 4.29 (93 adjusted). His WAR was 0.3. He was an umpire in the National League from 1968-94.
3) Charles Moran. Moran was a catcher/pitcher/shortstop for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1903 and 1908. In only 25 total games he slashed .221/.221/.286 for an adjusted OPS of 61. On the mound he had an 0-1 record, and a 5.25 ERA (63 adjusted). His career WAR was -1.1. He then umpired in the National League from 1918-39.
4) Hank O'Day. O'Day pitched and played outfield for the Washington Nationals, New York Giants, etc., from 1884-90. He finished with a won-loss record of 73-110, and a 3.74 ERA (97 adjusted). His career WAR was 6.3. He then umpired in the National League in 1895, 1897-1911, 1913, and 1915-1927. He's one of only 10 men to be named to the Hall of Fame as an umpire (see list below).
5) Ralph "Babe" Pinelli. Babe played third base and shortstop with the Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers, and Chicago White Sox in 1918, 1920, and 1922-27, finishing with a slash of .276/.328/.346 (79 adjusted). His career WAR was 6.0. Babe was better known as a National League ump from 1935-56.
6) Frank Secory. Frank was a pinch hitter and outfielder in 1940, 1942, and 1944-46 with the Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers, and Cincinnati Reds. He slashed .228/.302/.389, for an adjusted OPS of 94, and a WAR of 0.2. He umpired in the National League from 1952-70.
7) William "Ken" Burkhart. Ken pitched from 1945-49 with the St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds, finishing with a record of 27-20, and an ERA of 3.84 (100 adjusted, or exactly average). His career WAR was 6.8. Ken was then a National League umpire from 1957-73.
8) John "Jocko" Conlan. Jocko was an outfielder and pinch hitter for the Chicago White Sox from 1934-35. Lifetime he slashed .263/.328/.334 (70 adjusted), with a WAR of -0.6. He was much better known as a National League umpire, serving from 1941-64, and being named to the Hall of Fame.
9) Jack Egan. Egan pitched in 1 total game with the 1894 Washington Senators (NL). His 5 innings produced an ERA of 10.80 (52 adjusted), and a WAR of -0.1. Next, he was a National League umpire in 1903, and an American League one from 1907-14.
10) Bob Emslie. Emslie played as a pitcher/outfielder from 1883-85 with the Baltimore Orioles and Philadelphia A's (AA). His won-loss record was 44-44, and his ERA was 3.19 (107 adjusted). He slashed .186/.204/.242 (42 adjusted). His career WAR was 5.6. Much more accomplished as an umpire, he served in the National League from 1891-1924.
11) Thomas Gorman. Gorman pitched very briefly for the 1936 New York Giants, accumulating a 0-0 won loss record, a 7.20 ERA (59 adjusted), and a WAR of -0.1. He umped in the National League from 1951-76.
12) Vincent Smith. Smith caught for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1941 and 1946, accumulating a slash of .259/.286/.278 (59 adjusted OPS), and a WAR of -0.4. He then umpired in the National League from 1957-65.
The next four men had both brief, undistinguished playing careers, and brief, undistinguished umpiring careers:
1) James "Harry" Colliflower. Harry played only 1 year, with the 1899 Cleveland Spiders of the National League. Who, were infamously the worst pro baseball ever, with a won-loss record of 20-134! (Or way worse than the 1962 Mets, and all the other legendary terrible teams.) Anyway, Harry pitched, and also played outfield and first base. He slashed .303/.321/.355 (94 adjusted OPS), and went 1-11 as a pitcher, with an ERA of 8.17 (45 adjusted). His WAR was an abysmal -2.6. He then umpired in the American League in 1910 only.
2) Charles Ferguson. Charles pitched very briefly, 1 game, for the 1901 Chicago Orphans (later the Cubs). In 2 innings pitched his WHIP was 1.5, but his ERA was 0.00 (so no adjusted ERA). His WAR was 0.1. He then umpired briefly in the American League, in 1913-14.
3) William Friel. Friel played second base/third base/outfield for the St. Louis Browns, and the American League's Milwaukee Brewers from 1901-03. His career slash was .245/.292/331 (80 adjusted OPS), and a lifetime WAR of 0.3. Later he umpired in the American League, in 1920 only.
4) Howard "Ducky" Holmes. Ducky caught for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1906. In only 9 games, he slashed .185/.267/.185 (adjusted OPS of 44). His career WAR was 0.0. Ducky later umpired in the National League in 1921, and the American League from 1923-24.
Finally, let's list the five guys who had decently long playing careers, and decently long umpiring careers.
1) William "Barry" McCormick. Barry was a third baseman/second baseman/shortstop for the Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Browns, and Washington Senators from 1895-1904. He slashed .238/.297/.303 (71 adjusted OPS), and finished with a WAR of 3.0. He umpired in the Federal League from 1914-15, the American League in 1917, and then the National League from 1919-1929.
2) George Moriarty. George was a third baseman/first baseman/outfielder in 1903-04, and 1906-16 with the Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, etc. He slashed .251/.303/.312 (84 adjusted OPS), and had a career WAR of 14.1. Then he umpired in the American League from 1917-27, and 1929-40.
3) Edwin Rommel. Rommel pitched for the Philadelphia A's from 1920-32, finishing with a won-loss record of 171-119, and a 3.54 ERA (121 adjusted). His lifetime WAR was 49.7. As an umpire in the American League, he served from 1938-59.
4) Bill Dineen. Bill pitched from 1898-1908 with the Washington Senators, Boston Braves, Boston Americans (later Red Sox), etc. His lifetime won-loss record was 170-177, and his ERA was 3.08 (107 adjusted). His career WAR was 39.4. He was an American League ump from 1909-37.
5) Charles Berry. I'll end with the most interesting story. Berry played catcher for the Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia A's in 1925, 1928-36, and 1938. He slashed .267/.322/.374 (adjusted OPS of 84), and had a career WAR of 5.9. He then umpired in the American League from 1942-62. But we're not done. He also both played in the NFL, and was an official for the NFL. In 1925-26 he played left end for the Pottsville Maroons. Statistics from this time are limited, but we know he started 16 of 20 total games, and scored 6 receiving touchdowns, had 1 fumble return touchdown, and returned 2 blocked punts for touchdowns. He was named first team All Pro both years. From 1941-64 he was a head linesman in the NFL.
Finally, I'll end with a list of the 10 umpires who have been named to the Hall of Fame.
1) Tommy Connolly, National umpire from 1898-1900, and in the American League from 1901-31.
2) Bill Klem, National League umpire from 1905-41.
3) Billy Evans, American League umpire from 1906-27.
4) Jocko Conlan (see above), National League umpire from 1941-64.
5) Cal Hubbard, American League umpire from 1936-51. Also an NFL Hall of Famer (player).
6) Al Barlick, National League umpire from 1940-43, 1946-55, and 1958-71.
7) Bill McGowan, American League umpire from 1925-54.
8) Nestor Chylak, American League umpire from 1954-78.
9) Doug Harvey, National League umpire from 1962-92.
10) Hank O'Day (see above). National League umpire from 1895, 1897-1911, 1913, 1915-27.
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