Ed Runge
Ed Runge | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | May 12, 1918 Buffalo, New York, U.S. |
| Died | July 25, 2002 (aged 84) San Diego, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | MLB umpire |
Edward Paul Runge (May 12, 1918 – July 25, 2002) was an American professional baseball umpire. He worked in Major League Baseball between 1954 and 1970. During his career, he officiated three World Series and five All-Star games.
Early life
[edit]He was born in Buffalo, New York and lived in Buffalo, San Diego, California, and St. Catharines, Ontario during his childhood.
Umpiring career
[edit]Runge's first professional umpiring experience came in the Big State League in Texas in 1947. He was promoted to the Pacific Coast League in 1949. He became a Major League umpire in 1954, working in the American League. He retired in 1970. After his retirement, Runge said of umpiring, "It's the only occupation where a man has to be perfect his first day on the job and then improve over the years."
Notable games
[edit]He was part of the crew that called Don Larsen's perfect game in Game 5 of the 1956 World Series. As the right field umpire, Runge made a critical foul ball call in the fourth inning on a potential home run hit by Duke Snider.[1]
He also was the home plate umpire for Dave Morehead's no-hitter on September 16, 1965.[2]
Personal life
[edit]In 1960, Runge testified in court against two Washington men who were accused of attempting to extort money from Runge and fellow umpire Bill McKinley. After Runge and McKinley entered a hotel room with two females, the two men entered the room. The men photographed McKinley and Runge in the company of the women and then held the photograph for blackmail.[3]
He is the father of Paul Runge and grandfather of Brian Runge, both of whom became umpires in the Major Leagues.
Later life and death
[edit]In retirement, Runge served as a community liaison and speaker for the San Diego Padres. Runge died in San Diego in 2002.[4]
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ Associated Press (2002-07-26). "Patriarch of three-generation family of umps dies". ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved 2009-08-20.
- ^ "Retrosheet Boxscore: Boston Red Sox 2, Cleveland Indians 0".
- ^ "AL Umpire Testifies in Extortion Plot". Schenectady Gazette. September 7, 1960. Retrieved November 2, 2012.
- ^ Litsky, Frank (2002-07-30). "Ed Runge, 87, Veteran Umpire Who Was Partial to Pitchers". New York Times. Retrieved 2009-08-20.
External links
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