Ron Luciano

Ron Luciano (June 28 1937 - January 18 1995) was a major league umpire, known for his flamboyant style, simple love for the game, and clever quotes.

Related Topics:
June 28 - 1937 - January 18 - 1995 - Major league - Umpire

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Before getting into baseball, Luciano was a standout lineman for the Syracuse University football team.

Related Topics:
Baseball - Lineman - Syracuse University - Football

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In his 11-year career (1969-1979) as an umpire, Luciano umpired in 1 World Series (1974), 1 All-Star Game (1973), and the 1971, 1975 and 1978 American League Championship Series.

Related Topics:
1969 - 1979 - World Series - 1974 - All-Star Game - 1973 - 1975 - 1978

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He would frequently render an out call by pumping his arm several times or with a mock shooting gesture with his right hand.

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Luciano had more than a few encounters with managers, but more than any other, the Baltimore Orioles' Earl Weaver gave him trouble. At one time, he ejected Weaver from both ends of a doubleheader. The anger between the two was so big that the AL decided to take Luciano off Baltimore games.

Related Topics:
Baltimore Orioles - Earl Weaver - Doubleheader - AL

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Briefly after his retirement in 1979, he was a sports commentator with NBC. But mostly, Luciano spent time writing. Before his death on January 18, 1995, he wrote 4 books, including The Umpire Strikes Back and The Fall of the Roman Umpire. His material was considered as clever and witty as his titles and the books did pretty well. The books contained mostly stories and jokes about his umpiring days. He was found dead in his garage at his home in Endicott, New York. It was later discovered to be a suicide via carbon monoxide poisoning.

Related Topics:
1979 - NBC - January 18 - 1995 - Endicott, New York - Suicide - Carbon monoxide

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