Mike DiMuro
Encyclopedia
Michael Ryan DiMuro is an umpire
in Major League Baseball
. He currently resides in Colorado
, is married and has three children: Megan, Cross and Michael. DiMuro graduated from the University of San Diego
with a B.A. in Communications im 1990. He is a FAA licensed Commercial Pilot.
In 1997, DiMuro became the first American umpire to work in Japanese baseball
, officiating in the Central League
in an experiment designed to introduce American umpiring standards. However, DiMuro was stunned by the casual acceptance of abuse toward umpires; after he ejected Chunichi Dragons
hitter Yasuaki Taiho from a game for arguing balls and strikes, players swarmed him in protest, and Taiho shoved him in the chest. Other than the ejection, there were no penalties assessed to Taiho, and after consulting with officials of both the Central League and the American League, DiMuro resigned and returned to the U.S.
DiMuro co-founded an organization called Blue For Kids with fellow umpire Marvin Hudson
in 2004. The organization is now called UMPS CARE Charities and is the official charity for Major League Umpires. DiMuro is the author of the official blog for the charity at www.UmpsCareBlog.com. His father Lou
was an American League
umpire from 1963 until 1982, when he died of injuries sustained from being hit by a car. His father also wore number 16 during his major league career. Mike's older brother Ray also worked occasional games as a substitute umpire in the AL from 1996 to 1999.
On May 29, 2010, DiMuro was the HP umpire for Roy Halladay
's perfect game
, the 20th perfect game recorded in MLB history. His father was the home plate umpire for a no-hitter by Jim Palmer
of the Baltimore Orioles
vs. the Oakland Athletics
on August 13, 1969.
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...
. He currently resides in Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
, is married and has three children: Megan, Cross and Michael. DiMuro graduated from the University of San Diego
University of San Diego
The University of San Diego is a Roman Catholic university in San Diego, California. USD offers more than sixty bachelor's, master’s, and doctoral programs...
with a B.A. in Communications im 1990. He is a FAA licensed Commercial Pilot.
In 1997, DiMuro became the first American umpire to work in Japanese baseball
Baseball in Japan
Baseball is one of the most popular sports in Japan. It was introduced to Japan in 1872 by Horace Wilson, who taught at the Kaisei School in Tokyo. The first baseball team was called the Shimbashi Athletic Club and was established in 1878. Baseball has been a popular sport ever since...
, officiating in the Central League
Central League
The or is one the two professional baseball leagues that constitute Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan. The winner of the league championship plays against the winner of the Pacific League in the annual Japan Series. It currently consists of six teams from around the country,The Central League...
in an experiment designed to introduce American umpiring standards. However, DiMuro was stunned by the casual acceptance of abuse toward umpires; after he ejected Chunichi Dragons
Chunichi Dragons
The are a professional baseball team based in Nagoya, the chief city in the Chubu region of Japan. The team is in the Central League. They won the 2007 Japan Series and 2007 Asia Series.-History:...
hitter Yasuaki Taiho from a game for arguing balls and strikes, players swarmed him in protest, and Taiho shoved him in the chest. Other than the ejection, there were no penalties assessed to Taiho, and after consulting with officials of both the Central League and the American League, DiMuro resigned and returned to the U.S.
DiMuro co-founded an organization called Blue For Kids with fellow umpire Marvin Hudson
Marvin Hudson
Marvin Lee Hudson is a Major League Baseball umpire who began his career in the National League in . He has officiated in the 2004 All-Star Game and two Division Series . He wears uniform number 51.Hudson graduated from Marietta High School in 1982 and Piedmont College in 1986...
in 2004. The organization is now called UMPS CARE Charities and is the official charity for Major League Umpires. DiMuro is the author of the official blog for the charity at www.UmpsCareBlog.com. His father Lou
Lou DiMuro
Louis John DiMuro was an American umpire in Major League Baseball who worked in the American League from 1963 until his death.-Career:...
was an 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...
umpire from 1963 until 1982, when he died of injuries sustained from being hit by a car. His father also wore number 16 during his major league career. Mike's older brother Ray also worked occasional games as a substitute umpire in the AL from 1996 to 1999.
On May 29, 2010, DiMuro was the HP umpire for Roy Halladay
Roy Halladay
Harry Leroy "Roy" Halladay III , nicknamed "Doc", is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies...
'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...
, the 20th perfect game recorded in MLB history. His father was the home plate umpire for a no-hitter by Jim Palmer
Jim Palmer
James Alvin "Jim" Palmer , nicknamed "Cakes", is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He played his entire 20-year baseball career for the Baltimore Orioles . He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in .As of 2008, Palmer and his wife Susan have homes in Palm Beach, Florida, and...
of the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
vs. the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
on August 13, 1969.