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Former Umpire Gregg Dies After Stroke
abcnews ^
| Jun 5, 2006
| DAN GELSTON
Posted on 06/05/2006 6:03:24 PM PDT by lunarbicep
Former major league umpire Eric Gregg, who struggled with weight problems that saw him reach almost 400 pounds, died Monday night, a day after a massive stroke. He was 55.
"I want him to be remembered as someone who loved the game of baseball, someone who was determined to make it no matter what," said his son, Kevin Gregg, who confirmed the death to The Associated Press.
Gregg had complained to family members Sunday morning at his home in Ardmore, Pa., that he couldn't feel anything on his left side. He was hospitalized and died at 6:45 p.m. Monday.
Gregg was among 22 umpires who lost their jobs in 1999 when their labor plan of mass resignations backfired. Known for his large strike zone, he worked the 1989 World Series, four championship series, two division series and one All-Star game.
"He was so determined to be in the game and he got there," Kevin Gregg said.
Gregg called his first game in 1975 and became a member of the NL staff in 1978. He was left jobless after union head Richie Phillips called for mass resignations as a way of forcing an early start to contract negotiations.
In December 2004, Gregg and five other umpires whose resignations were accepted in 1999 received severance pay and health benefits for themselves and their families. Gregg received $400,000 under the deal.
TOPICS: Sports
KEYWORDS: baseball; mlb; obituary
To: Owl_Eagle; brityank; Physicist; WhyisaTexasgirlinPA; GOPJ; abner; baseballmom; Mo1; Ciexyz; ...
2
posted on
06/05/2006 6:04:00 PM PDT
by
Tribune7
To: lunarbicep
So young, too. Best wishes to his friends and family.
3
posted on
06/05/2006 6:05:14 PM PDT
by
RightWingAtheist
(Creationism is to conservatism what Howard Dean is to liberalism)
To: lunarbicep
Saw a lot of games that he called. Sorry to see this news.
4
posted on
06/05/2006 6:05:59 PM PDT
by
Lawgvr1955
(You can never have too much cowbell !!)
To: lunarbicep
He came from a strict household. His wife should sue his parents.
To: lunarbicep
Sad... 55 is far too young to die. Prayers to his family...
6
posted on
06/05/2006 6:07:35 PM PDT
by
nutmeg
("We're going to take things away from you on behalf of the common good." - Hillary Clinton 6/28/04)
To: GraniteStateConservative; TheRedSoxWinThePennant; SE Mom; raccoonradio; bikepacker67; ...
7
posted on
06/05/2006 6:08:49 PM PDT
by
nutmeg
("We're going to take things away from you on behalf of the common good." - Hillary Clinton 6/28/04)
To: lunarbicep
I remember the "plump ump" mostly for that 1997 Braves-Marlins game where everything the Marlins pitcher, Livan Hernandez, threw was a strike.
8
posted on
06/05/2006 6:10:10 PM PDT
by
NapkinUser
(Why isn't there a 'virtual fence' around the White House?)
To: nutmeg
To: NapkinUser
That was the epitomy of Richie Phillips' arrogance where the umpires had become bigger than the game.
10
posted on
06/05/2006 6:17:53 PM PDT
by
misterrob
(Yankees Suck--and so didn't Beckett tonight!!!)
To: lunarbicep
I remember someone leaving a cheeseburger at second base for him...
11
posted on
06/05/2006 6:24:39 PM PDT
by
atomicpossum
(Replies must follow approved guidelines or you will be kill-filed without appeal.)
To: atomicpossum
Terry Pendleton of the Cards left it at 3rd base.
12
posted on
06/05/2006 7:14:15 PM PDT
by
CARDINALRULES
(Tough times never last -Tough people do. DK57)
To: Tribune7
I met him.My husband knew who he was at the restaurant and he was by the front door with everyone coming in and high fiving him,God bless him for not giving up and his family.
13
posted on
06/05/2006 8:33:52 PM PDT
by
fatima
(Kathy in Alaska is the best.)
To: lunarbicep
1996 (via Wikipedia):
April 1 - Seven pitches into the first game of the season, at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, home plate umpire John McSherry collapses on the field and dies of a massive heart attack. The game between the Cincinnati Reds and Montréal Expos is postponed, along with the rest of the games scheduled for that day. Reds owner Marge Schott later comes under fire for wanting the game in Cincinnati to continue despite the tragedy (and against the wishes of the players on both teams), saying that she felt "cheated" when it was canceled.
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