Ron Luciano
Encyclopedia
Ronald Michael Luciano was an American Major League Baseball
umpire
from 1969 to 1979 in the American League
. He was known for his flamboyant style, clever aphorisms, and a series of published collections of anecdotes from his colorful career.
, in the southern part of upstate New York near the Pennsylvania border. In college the 6-foot-4, 260-pound Luciano was a standout two-way tackle at Syracuse University
, where he majored in mathematics. He played in the 1957 Cotton Bowl and was named to the 1958 All-America Team. In 1959 he played on the Orangemen's national championship squad with future Heisman Trophy
winner Ernie Davis
. The Detroit Lions
selected him as an offensive tackle in the third round of the 1959 NFL Draft
, but he suffered a serious shoulder injury in the College All-Star Game
and never played a down for the Lions, who released him after the 1960 season. The AFL
Buffalo Bills
picked him up in 1961, but a knee injury forced his retirement after only two games.
As an umpire he was known for his flamboyant calls, particularly his habit of "shooting out" players. "My personal record is 16 shots," he wrote. "Bill Haller
counted them." One night Luciano gave an "out" sign at home plate by pumping his right hand a dozen times. "I was so carried away that I never saw the ball rolling to the backstop," he later said. "Fortunately, someone pointed to the loose ball and I changed my call." In addition to making theatrical events of routine outs, he was considered an "individualist" who played fast and loose with the league's rules of conduct. For example, rather than working from behind second base as mandated by the American League, he would frequently stand between the pitcher and the base, National League
-style. He would routinely converse with players during between-inning breaks and even during play, a practice strictly forbidden by the league. In 1973 during spring training, he switched positions with Buddy Bell
, playing a portion of an inning at third base while Bell umpired. (Both were reprimanded by the league.) For all his antics, however, his skills were respected by the players: In a 1974 polling of the Major League Baseball Players Association
, Luciano was one of only two American League umpires rated "excellent."
Luciano was also known for his long-running feud with Baltimore Orioles
manager Earl Weaver
, whose career closely paralleled Luciano's. The two men first met in Double-A during a four-game series in Reading, Pennsylvania
in 1965; Weaver was managing the Elmira Pioneers
. Luciano ejected Weaver from all four games—the last during the pre-game exchange of scorecards at home plate. During the 1967 season in Triple-A, after a dispute with Luciano, Weaver famously stole second base—literally—took it to his dugout, and refused to give it back. In the majors Luciano once ejected Weaver from both games of a doubleheader
—the second time, once again, before a single pitch had been thrown. He tossed Weaver so often that Orioles players reportedly placed bets on the inning in which their skipper would be removed. The friction became so intense that for an entire year, Luciano was transferred whenever his crew was scheduled to work an Orioles series. In the third inning of Luciano's first game in Baltimore a year later, he ejected Weaver—who then publicly questioned Luciano's "integrity" and received a three-game suspension. Eventually, each admitted a grudging respect for the other: Weaver said Luciano was "one of the few umpires people have paid their way into the park to see." Of Weaver, Luciano wrote, "It's impossible for me not to admire him, but it's pretty hard for me to like him."
Luciano was a member of the 1974 World Series
umpire crew, but did not work the plate; the Oakland Athletics
closed out the Los Angeles Dodgers
in five games. Other extra-season duties included the 1971
, 1975
, and 1978 American League Championship Series
and the 1973 All-Star Game
. He was the home plate umpire for Nolan Ryan
's second no-hitter
in Detroit on July 15, 1973. He served two full terms as president of the Association of Major League Umpires, and was one of its principal leaders and spokesmen during the 1979 umpire strike.
as a color commentator on NBC's Game of the Week; but he became best known as the author of five books—The Umpire Strikes Back, Strike Two, The Fall of the Roman Umpire, Remembrance of Swings Past and Baseball Lite—compilations of humorous anecdotes and reminiscences from his umpiring days. He also became a popular speaker on the banquet circuit.
via carbon monoxide
poisoning. He had reportedly suffered from chronic depression for many years, and was hospitalized for its treatment in early 1994. He was buried at the Calvary Cemetery in Johnson City, New York
.
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...
umpire
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...
from 1969 to 1979 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...
. He was known for his flamboyant style, clever aphorisms, and a series of published collections of anecdotes from his colorful career.
Early life
Luciano was born and lived his entire life in EndicottEndicott, New York
Endicott is a village in Broome County, New York, United States. The population was 13,038 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Binghamton Metropolitan Statistical Area. The village is named after Henry B...
, in the southern part of upstate New York near the Pennsylvania border. In college the 6-foot-4, 260-pound Luciano was a standout two-way tackle at Syracuse University
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
, where he majored in mathematics. He played in the 1957 Cotton Bowl and was named to the 1958 All-America Team. In 1959 he played on the Orangemen's national championship squad with future Heisman Trophy
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
winner Ernie Davis
Ernie Davis
Ernest "Ernie" Davis was an American football running back and the first African-American athlete to win the Heisman Trophy. Wearing number 44, Davis competed collegiately for Syracuse University before being drafted by the Washington Redskins, then almost immediately traded to the Cleveland...
. The Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
selected him as an offensive tackle in the third round of the 1959 NFL Draft
NFL Draft
The National Football League Draft is an annual event in which the National Football League teams select eligible college football players and it is their most common source of player recruitment. The basic design of the draft is each team is given a position in the drafting order in reverse order...
, but he suffered a serious shoulder injury in the College All-Star Game
College All-Star Game
The Chicago Charities College All-Star Game was a preseason American football game played annually from 1934 to 1976 between the National Football League champions and a team of star college seniors from the previous year...
and never played a down for the Lions, who released him after the 1960 season. The AFL
American Football League
The American Football League was a major American Professional Football league that operated from 1960 until 1969, when the established National Football League merged with it. The upstart AFL operated in direct competition with the more established NFL throughout its existence...
Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills (AAFC)
The Buffalo Bills was an American Football team, based in Buffalo, NY, that played in the All-America Football Conference from 1946 to 1949. During its first season in 1946, the team was known as the Buffalo Bisons...
picked him up in 1961, but a knee injury forced his retirement after only two games.
Umpiring career
Luciano began umpiring in the Class A Florida State League in 1964. He was promoted to the Double-A Eastern League in 1965 and the Triple-A International League in 1967. In 1969 he became an MLB umpire in the American League and remained so until his retirement at the end of the 1979 season.As an umpire he was known for his flamboyant calls, particularly his habit of "shooting out" players. "My personal record is 16 shots," he wrote. "Bill Haller
Bill Haller
William Edward Haller is a retired Major League Baseball umpire. Haller officiated 3,068 regular season games in the American League from 1961 and from 1963–1982...
counted them." One night Luciano gave an "out" sign at home plate by pumping his right hand a dozen times. "I was so carried away that I never saw the ball rolling to the backstop," he later said. "Fortunately, someone pointed to the loose ball and I changed my call." In addition to making theatrical events of routine outs, he was considered an "individualist" who played fast and loose with the league's rules of conduct. For example, rather than working from behind second base as mandated by the American League, he would frequently stand between the pitcher and the base, 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...
-style. He would routinely converse with players during between-inning breaks and even during play, a practice strictly forbidden by the league. In 1973 during spring training, he switched positions with Buddy Bell
Buddy Bell
David Gus "Buddy" Bell is a former third baseman and manager in Major League Baseball. After an 18-year career with four teams, most notably the Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers, he managed the Detroit Tigers, Colorado Rockies and Kansas City Royals for three seasons each...
, playing a portion of an inning at third base while Bell umpired. (Both were reprimanded by the league.) For all his antics, however, his skills were respected by the players: In a 1974 polling of the Major League Baseball Players Association
Major League Baseball Players Association
The Major League Baseball Players Association is the union of professional major-league baseball players.-History of MLBPA:The MLBPA was not the first attempt to unionize baseball players...
, Luciano was one of only two American League umpires rated "excellent."
Luciano was also known for his long-running feud with 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...
manager Earl Weaver
Earl Weaver
Earl Sidney Weaver is a former Major League Baseball manager. He spent his entire 17-year managerial career with the Baltimore Orioles . Weaver was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1996.-Playing career:After playing for Beaumont High School in St...
, whose career closely paralleled Luciano's. The two men first met in Double-A during a four-game series in Reading, Pennsylvania
Reading, Pennsylvania
Reading is a city in southeastern Pennsylvania, USA, and seat of Berks County. Reading is the principal city of the Greater Reading Area and had a population of 88,082 as of the 2010 census, making it the fifth most populated city in the state after Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown and Erie,...
in 1965; Weaver was managing the Elmira Pioneers
Elmira Pioneers
The Elmira Pioneers are an amateur baseball team based in Elmira, New York. They currently compete in the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League, a wood bat collegiate summer baseball league. Prior to the 2006 baseball season, the team was a professional ballclub with a rich history of league...
. Luciano ejected Weaver from all four games—the last during the pre-game exchange of scorecards at home plate. During the 1967 season in Triple-A, after a dispute with Luciano, Weaver famously stole second base—literally—took it to his dugout, and refused to give it back. In the majors Luciano once ejected Weaver from both games of a doubleheader
Doubleheader (baseball)
A doubleheader is a set of two baseball games played between the same two teams on the same day in front of the same crowd. In addition, the term is often used unofficially to refer to a pair of games played by a team in a single day, but in front of different crowds and not in immediate...
—the second time, once again, before a single pitch had been thrown. He tossed Weaver so often that Orioles players reportedly placed bets on the inning in which their skipper would be removed. The friction became so intense that for an entire year, Luciano was transferred whenever his crew was scheduled to work an Orioles series. In the third inning of Luciano's first game in Baltimore a year later, he ejected Weaver—who then publicly questioned Luciano's "integrity" and received a three-game suspension. Eventually, each admitted a grudging respect for the other: Weaver said Luciano was "one of the few umpires people have paid their way into the park to see." Of Weaver, Luciano wrote, "It's impossible for me not to admire him, but it's pretty hard for me to like him."
Luciano was a member of the 1974 World Series
1974 World Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 12, 1974 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CaliforniaReggie Jackson put the A's on the board first with a solo homer in the top of the second off 20-game winner Andy Messersmith...
umpire crew, but did not work the plate; 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....
closed out the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
in five games. Other extra-season duties included the 1971
1971 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Sunday, October 3, 1971 at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, MarylandDave McNally, a 20-game winner for the fourth season in a row, survived a rocky start to win the opener. He trailed, 3–0, after four innings pitched, giving up three doubles and a triple. The A's had McNally tottering in the...
, 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....
, and 1978 American League Championship Series
1978 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 3, 1978 at Royals Stadium in Kansas City, MissouriPrior to the start of this game, both teams had to deal with bad news. Ron Guidry, he of the incredible 25–3 Cy Young Award-winning season, would be unavailable to start until Game 4, if played, at least...
and the 1973 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...
. He was the home plate umpire for 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 second no-hitter
No-hitter
A no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
in Detroit on July 15, 1973. He served two full terms as president of the Association of Major League Umpires, and was one of its principal leaders and spokesmen during the 1979 umpire strike.
Personal life
Luciano married Polly Dixon, an airline flight attendant from Chicago, in 1974. During the baseball season they saw very little of each other, and during the off-season they could not agree on where to live: she did not want to move to upstate New York, and he did not want to live in Chicago. They had no children and divorced after less than two years. Luciano was an enthusiastic amateur ornithologist and an avid reader. "I don't understand Shakespeare's sonnets at all, but I follow his tragedies," he said. "I like the mean characters, people like Macbeth's wife. Hey, you've got to be a masochist to be an umpire, right?"Retirement
After his retirement in 1980 Luciano spent two seasons partnered with Merle HarmonMerle Harmon
Merle Reid Harmon was an American sportscaster who was the play-by-play voice for five Major League Baseball teams, two in the American Football League and the World Football League's only full season of nationally syndicated telecasts.-Early life and career:Born and raised in Salem, Illinois,...
as a color commentator on NBC's Game of the Week; but he became best known as the author of five books—The Umpire Strikes Back, Strike Two, The Fall of the Roman Umpire, Remembrance of Swings Past and Baseball Lite—compilations of humorous anecdotes and reminiscences from his umpiring days. He also became a popular speaker on the banquet circuit.
Death
In January 1995 Luciano was found dead at age 57 in his garage at his home in Endicott, a victim of suicideSuicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
via carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide , also called carbonous oxide, is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is slightly lighter than air. It is highly toxic to humans and animals in higher quantities, although it is also produced in normal animal metabolism in low quantities, and is thought to have some normal...
poisoning. He had reportedly suffered from chronic depression for many years, and was hospitalized for its treatment in early 1994. He was buried at the Calvary Cemetery in Johnson City, New York
Johnson City, New York
Johnson City is a village in Broome County, New York, United States. The population was 15,535 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Binghamton Metropolitan Statistical Area....
.
Quotes
- "Any umpire who claims he has never missed a play is . . . well, an umpire." (from The Umpire Strikes Back)
- "When I started, the game was played by nine tough competitors on grass, in graceful ball parks. But while I was trying to answer the daily quiz Quiz-O-Gram on the exploding scoreboard, a revolution was taking place around me. By the time I finished, there were ten men on each side, the game was played indoors on plastic, and I had to spend half my time watching out for a man dressed in a chicken suit who kept trying to kiss me."
- "I never called a balk in my life. I didn't understand the rule."
- "The problem with Earl [Weaver] is that he holds a grudge. Other managers, if they disagree with a call, may holler and shout, but you can still go out for a beer with them after the game. Not Earl. He never forgets. Heck, he even holds your minor league record against you. Once, a couple of years ago, I made a controversial call at the plate. Earl charged out of the dugout, screaming that that was the same call I'd blown at Elmira in '66. That sort of thing can get to you." (from Phil Pepe and Zander Hollander's The Book of Sports Lists 3 (1981), p. 45, following his list of the five toughest managers he had to deal with. Weaver was the first four; No. 5 was Frank RobinsonFrank RobinsonFrank Robinson , is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. He played from 1956–1976, most notably for the Cincinnati Reds and the Baltimore Orioles. He is the only player to win league MVP honors in both the National and American Leagues...
, of whom Luciano said, "He's Earl's protege") - "Any umpire who lasts five years in the minor leagues deserves to be immortalized. Any umpire who lasts ten or more years in the minors deserves to be institutionalized."
- “The umpires have kept this game honest for 100 years. We’re the only segment of the game that has never been touched by scandal. We gotta be too dumb to cheat. We must have integrity, because we sure don’t have a normal family life. We certainly aren’t properly paid. We have no health care, no job security, no tenure. Our pension plan is a joke. We take more abuse than any living group of humans, and can’t give back any. If we’re fired without notice, our only recourse is to appeal to the league president. And he’s the guy that fires you. That’s gotta be unconstitutional.”
External links
- BaseballLibrary - profile and career highlights
- Ron Luciano's entry on Retrosheet.org
- Obituary At TheDeadball Era.com