Babe Pinelli

Ralph Arthur "Babe" Pinelli, born Rinaldo Angelo Paolinelli (October 18, 1895 - October 22, 1984), was an American third baseman and umpire in Major League Baseball. His playing career was mostly with the Cincinnati Reds from 1922-1927. After that he became a highly regarded National League umpire from 1935 to 1956, officiating in 6 World Series: 1939, 1941, 1947, 1948 (outfield only), 1952 and 1956; he was crew chief for the final two Series. He also umpired in the All-Star game in 1937, 1941, 1950 and 1956, working behind home plate for the second half of the last three games, and he worked in the 3-game series to determine the NL champion in 1946.

Related Topics:
October 18 - 1895 - October 22 - 1984 - American - Third baseman - Umpire - Major League Baseball - Cincinnati Reds - National League - World Series - 1939 - 1941 - 1947 - 1948 - 1952 - 1956 - All-Star

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

His final game as a home plate umpire provided an extraordinary capstone to his career. He was behind the plate for Don Larsen's perfect Game 5 in the 1956 World Series. His final call as a plate ump presumably was "Strike 3! You're out!" to pinch-hitter Dale Mitchell. Pinelli later recalled that after the game, he returned to the umpires' room and burst into tears. It has often been reported that that was Pinelli's final game as an umpire, but that is incorrect; Pinelli was a field umpire for the final two games of the Series, and then called it a career.

Related Topics:
Don Larsen - Perfect - 1956 World Series - Dale Mitchell

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Pinelli died at age 89.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~