Greg Gibson
Encyclopedia
Gregory Allan Gibson is an umpire
in Major League Baseball
who has worked in the National League
from 1997 to 1999 and throughout both major leagues since 2000. Throughout his career, he has worn the number 53 on his uniform. Gibson has worked six Division Series
(2001
, 2003
, 2004
, 2006
, 2007
, 2011), one League Championship Series
(2005
), one World Series
(2011
), and the 2008 All-Star Game
. He was the home plate umpire for Randy Johnson
's perfect game
on May 18, , as well as Tim Wakefield's 200th win. Before reaching the major leagues, he umpired in the Appalachian League
(1991), Florida Instructional League (1991 and 1994), South Atlantic League
(1992), Florida State League
(1993), Eastern League
(1994–1995) and International League
(1996–1999).
On September 3, 2008, Gibson was the home plate umpire for MLB's first use of instant replay.
Gibson's crew for the 2009 season included Ted Barrett
, Andy Fletcher
, and Tim McClelland
(crew chief). His crew for the 2010 season included Sam Holbrook
and Gerry Davis (crew chief).
-Phillies game. Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard
fielded a bunt by Michael Bourn
and dove to tag Bourn. Bourn veered to avoid the tag, then proceeded to first base where he was called safe. Howard was convinced he had applied the tag. Though replays indicate the tag was never applied, Gibson ruled Bourne had not gone outside the three-foot basepath allowed him under MLB rule 7.08(a)(1). Gibson was criticized for not asking for help in making the call from the home plate umpire, who had a good angle on the play. However, as the runner's lane call is the home plate umpire's call to begin with, this criticism was a moot point.
Umpire (baseball)
In baseball, the umpire is the person charged with officiating the game, including beginning and ending the game, enforcing the rules of the game and the grounds, making judgment calls on plays, and handling the disciplinary actions. The term is often shortened to the colloquial form ump...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
who has worked in the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
from 1997 to 1999 and throughout both major leagues since 2000. Throughout his career, he has worn the number 53 on his uniform. Gibson has worked six Division Series
Division Series
In baseball, the Division Series is the official name for the first round of the Major League Baseball playoffs. Currently, a total of four series are played in this opening round, two each for both the American League and the National League.-1981 season:...
(2001
2001 American League Division Series
-New York Yankees vs. Oakland Athletics:-Game 1, October 9:Safeco Field in Seattle, Washington-Game 2, October 11:Safeco Field in Seattle, Washington-Game 3, October 13:Jacobs Field in Cleveland, Ohio-Game 4, October 14:Jacobs Field in Cleveland, Ohio...
, 2003
2003 American League Division Series
-Oakland Athletics vs. Boston Red Sox:-Game 1, September 30:Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New York-Game 2, October 2:Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New York-Game 3, October 4:Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota-Game 4, October 5:...
, 2004
2004 National League Division Series
-Atlanta Braves vs. Houston Astros:-Game 1, October 5:Busch Stadium in St. Louis, MissouriOdalis Perez faced Woody Williams in Game 1. Albert Pujols got the Cardinals started with a solo homer to make it 1–0 in the first. Then in the third, Perez reached his limit after surrendering five two-out...
, 2006
2006 National League Division Series
-San Diego Padres vs. St. Louis Cardinals:-New York vs. Los Angeles:The series seemed over for the Mets before it even started, first by losing ace Pedro Martínez for the postseason and then losing probable Game 1 starter Orlando Hernández. Despite having a potent offense, many people didn't seem...
, 2007
2007 National League Division Series
-Philadelphia Phillies vs. Colorado Rockies:-Game 1, October 3:Chase Field in Phoenix, ArizonaEighteen-game winners Carlos Zambrano and Brandon Webb matched each other pitch for pitch in the opening game of the series. Stephen Drew's fourth-inning home run stood as the game's only run until Ryan...
, 2011), one League Championship Series
League Championship Series
The League Championship Series is the official name for a round of postseason play in Major League Baseball which has been conducted since 1969...
(2005
2005 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Wednesday, October 12, 2005 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, MissouriIn the series opener, the Cardinals won 5–3 behind a strong pitching performance by Cy Young winner Chris Carpenter and a two-run home run by Reggie Sanders in the first inning...
), one World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
(2011
2011 World Series
The 2011 World Series was the 107th edition of Major League Baseball's championship series. The best-of-seven playoff was played between the American League champion Texas Rangers and the National League champion St...
), and the 2008 All-Star Game
2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 79th midseason exhibition between the all-stars of the American League and the National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was played at Yankee Stadium in The Bronx, New York, home of the New York Yankees, on...
. He was the home plate umpire for Randy Johnson
Randy Johnson
Randall David Johnson , nicknamed "The Big Unit", is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. During a 22-year career, he pitched for six different teams....
's perfect game
Perfect game
A perfect game is defined by Major League Baseball as a game in which a pitcher pitches a victory that lasts a minimum of nine innings and in which no opposing player reaches base. Thus, the pitcher cannot allow any hits, walks, hit batsmen, or any opposing player to reach base safely for any...
on May 18, , as well as Tim Wakefield's 200th win. Before reaching the major leagues, he umpired in the Appalachian League
Appalachian League
The Appalachian League is a Rookie-class minor league that began play in 1937 with one year of inactivity in 1956. From 1937 to 1962, it was a Class D League. Teams are located in the Appalachian regions of Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia and Tennessee...
(1991), Florida Instructional League (1991 and 1994), South Atlantic League
South Atlantic League
The South Atlantic League is a minor league baseball league based chiefly in the Southeastern United States, with the exception of three teams in the Mid-Atlantic States...
(1992), Florida State League
Florida State League
The Florida State League is a Class A-Advanced minor league baseball league operating in the state of Florida. They are one of three leagues currently operating in Class A-Advanced, the third highest of six classifications of minor leagues...
(1993), Eastern League
Eastern League (U.S. baseball)
The Eastern League is a minor league baseball league which operates primarily in the northeastern United States, although it has had a team in Ohio since 1989. The Eastern League has played at the AA level since 1963. The league was founded in 1923 as the New York-Pennsylvania League...
(1994–1995) and International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
(1996–1999).
On September 3, 2008, Gibson was the home plate umpire for MLB's first use of instant replay.
Gibson's crew for the 2009 season included Ted Barrett
Ted Barrett
Edward George "Ted" Barrett is an umpire in Major League Baseball. He joined the American League's staff in 1994, and has worked throughout both major leagues since 2000....
, Andy Fletcher
Andy Fletcher (umpire)
Andrew Jay Fletcher is an umpire in Major League Baseball. After working in the National League in 1999, he has umpired in both Major Leagues since 2000....
, and Tim McClelland
Tim McClelland
Timothy Reid McClelland is an umpire in Major League Baseball who has worked in the American League from 1983 to 1999 and throughout both leagues since 2000. He has called many important games, from post-season games to the George Brett "Pine Tar" game in...
(crew chief). His crew for the 2010 season included Sam Holbrook
Sam Holbrook
Samuel Woodford Holbrook is an umpire in Major League Baseball. He wears number 34.Holbrook began his umpiring career in the Appalachian League in 1990, followed by stints in the Midwest, Carolina, Texas, Eastern and International Leagues before making his Major League debut in June,...
and Gerry Davis (crew chief).
Controversy
On Monday, August 23, 2010, while serving as first-base umpire, Gibson made a key call in the 8th inning of the AstrosAstros
Astros in sports may refer to:*The Houston Astros, a Major League Baseball team*Astros , an American football team in Australia*Astros Field, now renamed Minute Maid ParkAstros may also refer to:...
-Phillies game. Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard
Ryan Howard
Ryan James Howard is a Major League Baseball first baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies. Nicknamed "The Big Piece", Howard stands and weighs . He bats and throws left-handed....
fielded a bunt by Michael Bourn
Michael Bourn
Michael Ray Bourn is a professional baseball outfielder with the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball. He serves as the Atlanta Braves leadoff hitter. He has also been a member of the United States national baseball team....
and dove to tag Bourn. Bourn veered to avoid the tag, then proceeded to first base where he was called safe. Howard was convinced he had applied the tag. Though replays indicate the tag was never applied, Gibson ruled Bourne had not gone outside the three-foot basepath allowed him under MLB rule 7.08(a)(1). Gibson was criticized for not asking for help in making the call from the home plate umpire, who had a good angle on the play. However, as the runner's lane call is the home plate umpire's call to begin with, this criticism was a moot point.