Jim Evans
Encyclopedia
James Bremond Evans is a former umpire
in Major League Baseball
who worked in the American League
from 1971 to 1999. He now operates one of baseball's two major umpiring schools. He wore uniform number 3 starting in 1980 when the AL adopted uniform numbers.
Evans began umpiring Little League
games at age 14, where his playing experience as a catcher
helped in judging balls and strikes. He graduated in 1968 with a degree in political science
from the University of Texas
, where he played baseball, was on the debating team, and served in the National Guard, and then worked as an umpire in college games and in the Florida State League
. After graduating first in his class in the new Umpire Development Program in 1969, he worked in the Texas League
(1969–70) and American Association
(1971) before joining the AL staff in late 1971 at the age of 24. He became an AL crew chief in 1981.
He umpired in 4 World Series
(1977
, 1982
, 1986
and 1996
), and in 7 American League Championship Series
(1975
, 1979
, 1983
, 1985
, 1990
, 1993
and 1998
), tying a record set by Larry Barnett
. He also umpired in the All-Star Game
in 1976
, 1989
, and 1999
, calling balls and strikes in the last two contests. He worked in the American League Division Series
in 1981
, 1995
(Games 3-5) and 1996
, and also in the single-game playoffs to determine the Eastern division champion in 1978
and the Western division champion in 1995
.
Evans is one of seven umpires in history who have worked in two perfect game
s, having been the third base umpire for Mike Witt
's perfect game on September 30, 1984, and the second base umpire for David Cone
's perfect game on July 18, 1999. He was also the home plate umpire for the first of Nolan Ryan
's record 7 no-hitters on May 15, 1973, and worked behind the plate for Don Sutton's 300th victory on June 18, 1986.
On May 8 and 9, 1984, he was the home plate umpire in the longest decided game in major league history, a 25-inning contest between the Chicago White Sox
and Milwaukee Brewers
which was played over two nights, lasting 8 hours and 6 minutes, with the White Sox prevailing 7-6.
In the 1977 World Series
, Evans worked home plate during game 5 wearing an inside chest protector, which was unusual for AL umpires at the time. Prior to 1977, almost all AL umpires used the outside chest protector, but starting in 1977, all new umpires in the AL had to wear the inside protector, which had been standard in the National League for nearly 60 years, thanks to Hall of Fame umpire Bill Klem
. Fellow AL umpire Larry McCoy wore the inside protector in Game 3, although crew chief Nestor Chylak
wore the AL-tradition balloon protector in Game 1.
During the Umpire School class of 2009, Jim Evans celebrated his 20th year of opening up his umpire academy. Many members of Major League Baseball acknowledged the milestone for Evans. Evans recalled to the class his presentation to Major League Baseball, saying that, "I only had a little time, but then I had to cut it short because many hours later I had to get ready for the All-Star game that night."
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 worked in the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
from 1971 to 1999. He now operates one of baseball's two major umpiring schools. He wore uniform number 3 starting in 1980 when the AL adopted uniform numbers.
Evans began umpiring Little League
Little League
Little League Baseball and Softball is a non-profit organization in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, United States which organizes local youth baseball and softball leagues throughout the U.S...
games at age 14, where his playing experience as a catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
helped in judging balls and strikes. He graduated in 1968 with a degree in political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
from the University of Texas
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
, where he played baseball, was on the debating team, and served in the National Guard, and then worked as an umpire in college games and in the 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...
. After graduating first in his class in the new Umpire Development Program in 1969, he worked in the Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
(1969–70) and American Association
American Association (20th century)
The American Association was a minor league baseball league at the Triple-A level of baseball in the United States from to and to . Together with the International League, it contested the Junior World Series which determined the championship team in minor league baseball, at least for the...
(1971) before joining the AL staff in late 1971 at the age of 24. He became an AL crew chief in 1981.
He umpired in 4 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...
(1977
1977 World Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 11, 1977 at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New YorkThe Dodgers drew first blood off Don Gullett in the first when Davey Lopes walked and scored on a Bill Russell triple. Ron Cey made it 2–0 on a sacrifice fly...
, 1982
1982 World Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 12, 1982 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, MissouriThe Brewers' left-hander Mike Caldwell pitched a complete game shutout, allowing only three hits. The Brewers' offense was led by Paul Molitor, who had a World Series-record five hits and two RBIs...
, 1986
1986 World Series
The 1986 World Series pitted the New York Mets against the Boston Red Sox. It was cited in the legend of the "Curse of the Bambino" to explain the error by Bill Buckner in Game 6 that allowed the Mets to extend the series to a seventh game...
and 1996
1996 World Series
-Game 1:Sunday, October 20, 1996 at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New YorkGame 1 and Game 2 were originally scheduled for Saturday, October 19 and Sunday, October 20, respectively. Rain on October 19, however, washed out Game 1. The schedule was moved up one day, with Game 1 and Game 2 rescheduled for...
), and in 7 American League Championship Series
American League Championship Series
In Major League Baseball, the American League Championship Series , played in October, is a round in the postseason that determines the winner of the American League pennant...
(1975
1975 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 4, 1975 at Fenway Park in Boston, MassachusettsBoston Red Sox starter Luis Tiant allowed just one run on three hits to defeat the Oakland Athletics, 7–1, in the ALCS opener....
, 1979
1979 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Wednesday, October 3, 1979 at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, MarylandGame 1 was a match-up of Nolan Ryan in his final season with the Angels, and Jim Palmer for the Orioles. The Angels jumped out to the early lead when Dan Ford homered in the top of the first. The Angels extended the lead...
, 1983
1983 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Wednesday, October 5, 1983 at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, MarylandPlaying in their first postseason game since the 1959 World Series, the White Sox jumped out to a 1–0 series lead behind a complete-game victory by Hoyt, the American League Cy Young Award winner...
, 1985
1985 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 8, 1985 at Exhibition Stadium in Toronto, OntarioThe Toronto Blue Jays entered the series as the favorite to win the series. The first game featured Toronto pitcher Dave Stieb and Kansas City pitcher Charlie Leibrandt at Exhibition Stadium in Toronto...
, 1990
1990 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 6, 1990 at Fenway Park in Boston, MassachusettsThe opening game of the series saw a battle of aces, as Oakland sent Dave Stewart to the hill against Boston's Roger Clemens. The game was a scoreless pitchers duel until the bottom of the fourth, when Red Sox third baseman...
, 1993
1993 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 5, 1993 at Comiskey Park in Chicago, IllinoisThe ALCS opened at Comiskey Park with a battle of aces, as Toronto threw Juan Guzmán against Chicago's Jack McDowell, the eventual 1993 American League Cy Young Award winner...
and 1998
1998 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 6, 1998 at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New YorkCleveland came in as heavy underdogs, but also were the defending American League Champions. In Game 1, the Yankees got off to a good start, by hitting four straight singles in the bottom of the first to score two runs...
), tying a record set by Larry Barnett
Larry Barnett
Lawrence Robert Barnett is a former umpire in Major League Baseball who worked in the American League from 1969 to 1999 before becoming the major leagues' supervisor of umpires in 2000-2001.-Career:...
. He also umpired in the All-Star Game
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
in 1976
1976 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1976 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 47th 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 on July 13, 1976 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, home of...
, 1989
1989 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1989 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 60th playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 11, 1989 at Anaheim Stadium in Anaheim, California, the home of...
, and 1999
1999 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1999 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 70th playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball...
, calling balls and strikes in the last two contests. He worked in the American League Division Series
American League Division Series
In Major League Baseball, the American League Division Series determines which two teams from the American League will advance to the American League Championship Series...
in 1981
1981 American League Division Series
-New York Yankees vs. Milwaukee Brewers:-Game 1, October 6:Royals Stadium in Kansas City, MissouriMike Norris faced Dennis Leonard and the defending AL Champions in Game 1. Both pitchers were on their game and the game was scoreless through three innings. But in the top of the fourth, the A's got a...
, 1995
1995 American League Division Series
-Seattle Mariners vs. New York Yankees:-Game 1, Tuesday, October 3:Jacobs Field in Cleveland, OhioAfter a 39-minute rain delay, Game 1 got underway with two veterans, Roger Clemens and Dennis Martínez, starting the opener. The Red Sox jumped in front first in the third on John Valentin's two run...
(Games 3-5) and 1996
1996 American League Division Series
-Texas Rangers vs. New York Yankees:-Game 1, October 1:Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, MarylandIt was Baltimore's first playoff game since the clinching Game 5 of the 1983 World Series. For the Indians, it was their second consecutive division title. Charles Nagy and David Wells matched...
, and also in the single-game playoffs to determine the Eastern division champion in 1978
1978 in baseball
-Other champions:*Caribbean World Series: Indios de Mayagüez *College World Series: USC*Japan Series: Yakult Swallows over Hankyu Braves *Little League World Series: Pin-Kuang, Pin-Tung, Taiwan-Awards and honors:*Most Valuable Player...
and the Western division champion in 1995
1995 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Atlanta Braves over Cleveland Indians ; Tom Glavine, MVP*All-Star Game, July 11 at The Ballpark in Arlington: National League, 3-2; Jeff Conine, MVP-Other champions:...
.
Evans is one of seven umpires in history who have worked in two 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...
s, having been the third base umpire for Mike Witt
Mike Witt
Michael Atwater "Mike" Witt is a former Major League Baseball pitcher.At just twenty years of age, Witt made his major league debut with the California Angels in 1981. Standing 6 feet, 7 inches tall and possessing a great curveball as well as a good fastball, Witt's breakout season came in...
's perfect game on September 30, 1984, and the second base umpire for David Cone
David Cone
David Brian Cone is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. During a 17-year baseball career, he pitched from 1986-2003 for six different teams. Cone pitched the sixteenth perfect game in baseball history. He also set the MLB record for most years between 20-win seasons. He was a member of five...
's perfect game on July 18, 1999. He was also the home plate umpire for the first of Nolan Ryan
Nolan Ryan
Lynn Nolan Ryan, Jr. , nicknamed "The Ryan Express", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He is currently principal owner, president and CEO of the Texas Rangers....
's record 7 no-hitters on May 15, 1973, and worked behind the plate for Don Sutton's 300th victory on June 18, 1986.
On May 8 and 9, 1984, he was the home plate umpire in the longest decided game in major league history, a 25-inning contest between the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
and Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
which was played over two nights, lasting 8 hours and 6 minutes, with the White Sox prevailing 7-6.
In the 1977 World Series
1977 World Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 11, 1977 at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New YorkThe Dodgers drew first blood off Don Gullett in the first when Davey Lopes walked and scored on a Bill Russell triple. Ron Cey made it 2–0 on a sacrifice fly...
, Evans worked home plate during game 5 wearing an inside chest protector, which was unusual for AL umpires at the time. Prior to 1977, almost all AL umpires used the outside chest protector, but starting in 1977, all new umpires in the AL had to wear the inside protector, which had been standard in the National League for nearly 60 years, thanks to Hall of Fame umpire Bill Klem
Bill Klem
William Joseph Klem, born William Joseph Klimm , known as the "father of baseball umpires", was a National League umpire in Major League Baseball from 1905 to 1941...
. Fellow AL umpire Larry McCoy wore the inside protector in Game 3, although crew chief Nestor Chylak
Nestor Chylak
Nestor George Chylak, Jr. was an American umpire in Major League Baseball who worked in the American League from 1954 to 1978.He was born in Olyphant, Pennsylvania of Ukrainian descent, and attended the University of Scranton, where he studied engineering...
wore the AL-tradition balloon protector in Game 1.
During the Umpire School class of 2009, Jim Evans celebrated his 20th year of opening up his umpire academy. Many members of Major League Baseball acknowledged the milestone for Evans. Evans recalled to the class his presentation to Major League Baseball, saying that, "I only had a little time, but then I had to cut it short because many hours later I had to get ready for the All-Star game that night."
External links
- Retrosheet
- BaseballLibrary.com - career highlights and list of articles
- Jim Evans Academy of Professional Umpiring - biography
- Baseball Prospectus - interview