Doug Harvey (umpire) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Doug Harvey |
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Harvey at the 2011 Baseball Hall of Fame induction parade
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| National League umpire 1962–1992 |
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| Born: March 13, 1930 South Gate, California |
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| Died: January 13, 2018 (aged 87) Visalia, California |
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 Baseball Hall of Fame |
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| Induction | 2010 |
| Election Method | Veterans Committee |
Harold Douglas Harvey (born March 13, 1930 – died January 13, 2018) was a famous umpire in Major League Baseball (MLB). He worked in the National League (NL) from 1962 until 1992.
Doug Harvey was known for knowing the baseball rules really well. Players even jokingly called him "God" because he was so good at his job. He was one of the last umpires in the major leagues who never went to a special umpiring school. During his career, Harvey umpired five World Series and seven All-Star Games. He worked a total of 4,673 games, which was the third highest number in major league history when he retired. In 2010, he became the ninth umpire to be chosen for the Baseball Hall of Fame.
In 1999, the Society for American Baseball Research said Harvey was the second-greatest umpire ever. Only Bill Klem was ranked higher. Referee magazine also named him one of the 52 most important people in sports officiating history in 2007. Doug Harvey wore uniform number 8 for most of his career.
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Early Life and Start in Sports
Doug Harvey was born on March 13, 1930, in South Gate, California. He grew up in San Diego, California.
When he was just 16, Harvey started officiating basketball games for high schools. Later, he also umpired softball and baseball games. He went to San Diego State College in 1955–56. There, he played both baseball and football. After college, he went back to umpiring in the minor leagues. He also continued to officiate college basketball and football games. He lived in San Diego throughout his entire umpiring career.
His Amazing Career as an Umpire
Harvey umpired in the California League from 1958 to 1960. Then he moved to the Pacific Coast League in 1961. He started working in the major leagues on April 10, 1962. This was the very first regular-season game played at Dodger Stadium.
Three other umpires greatly influenced him: Al Barlick, Jocko Conlan, and Shag Crawford. Barlick taught him how to master the rules. Conlan helped him enjoy the fun side of umpiring. Crawford showed him the importance of working hard.
Memorable Games He Called
Doug Harvey was the home plate umpire for some very special games.
- On September 10, 1963, he was behind the plate when brothers Jesus, Matty, and Felipe Alou batted one after another for the San Francisco Giants.
- On June 3, 1987, he was also the home plate umpire when the Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs hit three grand slams combined in one game at Wrigley Field.
- He was the home plate umpire for the first game ever played at Three Rivers Stadium on July 16, 1970. The Pittsburgh Pirates played against the Cincinnati Reds.
Harvey was at second base during the last game of the 1972 season. In that game, Roberto Clemente got his 3,000th and final hit. Harvey even picked up the ball for Clemente.
World Series and All-Star Games
Harvey umpired in five World Series:
- 1968
- 1974
- 1981
- 1984 (he was the crew chief)
- 1988 (he was also the crew chief)
He also worked seven All-Star Games:
- 1963
- 1964
- 1971
- 1977
- 1982 (he called balls and strikes)
- 1987
- 1992 (he called balls and strikes)
Harvey set a record by umpiring in the National League Championship Series nine times. He was the crew chief for the last five of these series.
He was the home plate umpire for the important Game 1 of the 1988 World Series. In that game, Kirk Gibson hit a game-winning home run off Dennis Eckersley. The Los Angeles Dodgers went on to win the series in 5 games.
How Players Saw Him
In 1974, the Players Association asked players to rate umpires. Doug Harvey was named the top umpire in the National League. He was the only umpire in the league to be rated as "excellent."
In 1987, a Sports Illustrated poll of NL catchers ranked him as the third best umpire for calling balls and strikes. One player said he "still cares about doing the best possible job." In 1990, Sport magazine called him the best umpire in baseball. They praised him for always applying the rules strictly.
Retirement and Legacy
Doug Harvey wanted to umpire until he was 65. However, knee problems made him retire on October 4, 1992, at age 62. He became the first National League umpire since Bill Klem to work for more than 30 years. He finished with 31 years in the major leagues. His 4,673 games ranked third in major league history at the time.
When Harvey started in the major leagues, umpires were taught to make calls very quickly. But Harvey believed it was better to wait a moment and make sure the call was correct. He helped change how umpires approached their job.
Harvey was easy to spot because of his thick white hair. It turned gray when he was in his 30s, earning him the nickname "Silver." In late 1971, he grew a handlebar mustache. This was unusual because most baseball personnel hadn't worn facial hair since the 1940s. He kept it neatly trimmed. Later in his career, Harvey was the voice for MLB's "You Make the Call" segments, which helped fans understand rules.
Later Life and Hall of Fame
Doug Harvey was considered for the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003 and 2007. He was a top candidate but didn't get enough votes. However, on December 7, 2009, he was finally elected to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans' Committee. He was officially inducted on July 25, 2010.
Doug Harvey passed away on January 13, 2018, at the age of 87, in Visalia, California.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball umpires
