Hall of Fame-Worthy Umpires Post-1980 (and Managers & Executives)?

[CooperstownDave]

Hey There!

Next year the National Baseball Hall of Fame will convene a committee to select 8 managers, umpires, and executives whose greatest contributions occurred after 1980 for Hall of Fame consideration. I am doing research into who may make this ballot. I am hoping to support my research with some opinions from people in baseball and other subject-matter experts.

I would like to gather opinions on what umpires (and, if you wish to add, managers/executives) stand out to you as the most Hall of Fame-worthy among those whose greatest impact occurred after 1980 and why?

For reference, looking at current Hall of Fame umpires, key resume elements seem to be: number of games/seasons umpired, umpiring numerous World Series, pioneering work or being the "first" at something (ex. innovating hand signals, writing key rule books, starting important schools), and being highly-respected. Also contributing to the game or league in other areas beyond in-game umpiring such as working in key league posts.

Looking forward to and appreciate your feedback!

My Twitter account is named Cooperstown Dave, @Vlad4HOF, if you'd like to follow!

[umpstu]

Joe West.

[Mudisfun]

Gerry Davis

[SeeingEyeDog]

Greetings @CooperstownDave,

     Thank you for the opportunity to submit feedback on this...

Cy Rigler - umpired 4,144 MLB games, 2,468 of those behind the plate and 10 World Series. He invented the use of arm signals when calling balls and strikes. He worked much of his career working 1-man and 2-man mechanics.

Tommy Connolly - Umpired for 31 seasons, 8 world series. Subjectively defined the standards of excellence for baseball umpiring.

~Dawg

[lawump]

Jim Evans (I have never met him nor did I go to his school...so I write this objectively):  One of the youngest umpires in MLB history when he was promoted; Numerous post-seasons; trained and developed scores of future MLB umpires; and, perhaps most importantly, wrote the seminal Baseball Rules Annotated which has had a profound impact on the development of the game.  

Harry Wendelstedt:  Five World Series, seven NLCS, four All-Star Games; 15-year crew chief.  Made crucial (and correct) call to keep Don Drysdale's consecutive scoreless innings streak alive.  Trained and developed scores of future MLB umpires with his purchase of the Al Somers School.  

Joe West: Most games umpired in MLB history; one of the youngest MLB umpires ever at the time of his promotion.  Tons of post-season experience.  An absolute no-brainer.

Tim McClelland:  Throughout his career, he was always rated the best umpire in MLB by the players and coaches every time there was a poll (whether by ESPN, SI, Sporting News, etc.).  While we as umpires may not care for player and coach's polls...those absolutely have to carry a lot of weight with the committee.  In Tim's case, however, he was deserving of the high esteem the game participants held him in.  In fact, I believe he is the most likely post-1980 umpire to make it simply because he was so respected by the players and coaches (who are the ones who have votes on the committee).  He's the only umpire I ever remember a coach praising in his post-game press conference after just clinching a playoff series...without even being asked a question about the umpiring in the game.  I remember the coach stating that he needed to take a minute to praise Tim and recognize what a credit Tim was to his profession.

 

[beerguy55]

Chris Sarandon in Fright Night

Wesley Snipes in Blade

Kiefer Sutherland in Lost Boys

ohhh....wait a minute...never mind

[BCBrad]

I wonder if Jim Joyce would be in the conversation. Post-1980, I think of him first in terms of an umpire I respect and I wish I had his character on the field.

[SeeingEyeDog]

On 12/21/2022 at 5:33 PM, beerguy55 said:

Chris Sarandon in Fright Night

Wesley Snipes in Blade

Kiefer Sutherland in Lost Boys

ohhh....wait a minute...never mind

Wouldn't those guys be in line BEHIND say...Bela Lugosi, Max Schreck and Christopher Lee? I like Gary Oldman here, too...but, he's a Veteran's Committee level guy. You have to like Gary's On Vein Percentage but his Garlic Ball and limitations in day games really held him back.

~Dawg

[BCBrad]

Well, if you guys are going there. Bugs Bunny. Damn Bugs, you have to lose the navy. 

[beerguy55]

On 1/2/2023 at 12:32 AM, SeeingEyeDog said:

Wouldn't those guys be in line BEHIND say...Bela Lugosi, Max Schreck and Christopher Lee? I like Gary Oldman here, too...but, he's a Veteran's Committee level guy. You have to like Gary's On Vein Percentage but his Garlic Ball and limitations in day games really held him back.

~Dawg

The question said "post-1980" - Gary Oldman belongs for sure.