Watch Burnham
Encyclopedia
George Walter "Watch" Burnham (May 20, 1860 – November 18, 1902) was an American
umpire
and manager
in Major League Baseball
who was briefly in the National League
in the 1880s. He was born in Albion, Michigan
.
games. On July 25 of that season, he called balls and strikes for a no-hitter
thrown by "Old Hoss" Radbourn
of the Providence Grays
.
His next appearances as an umpire were single games in and another in , but he returned to part-time officiating when he called 33 games in , and 31 games in . In all, Watch umpired 107 games, 99 of which were behind the plate.
took over as interim manager in addition to his front office duties.
, and is interred at Oakwood Cemetery
in Saline, Michigan
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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...
and manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
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 was briefly 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...
in the 1880s. He was born in Albion, Michigan
Albion, Michigan
Albion is a city in Calhoun County in the south central region of the Lower Peninsula of the US state of Michigan. The population was 9,144 at the 2000 census and is part of the Battle Creek Metropolitan Statistical Area...
.
Umpiring career
Burnham began his major league officiating career in when he called 41 National LeagueNational 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...
games. On July 25 of that season, he called balls and strikes for a 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"...
thrown by "Old Hoss" Radbourn
Charles Radbourn
Charles Gardner Radbourn , nicknamed "Old Hoss", was an American professional baseball pitcher who played 12 seasons in Major League Baseball . He played for the Buffalo Bisons , Providence Grays , Boston Beaneaters , Boston Reds , and Cincinnati Reds...
of the Providence Grays
Providence Grays
The Providence Grays were a Major League Baseball team based in Providence, Rhode Island who played in the National League from until . The Grays played at Messer Field in the Olneyville neighborhood. The team won the National League title twice, in and...
.
His next appearances as an umpire were single games in and another in , but he returned to part-time officiating when he called 33 games in , and 31 games in . In all, Watch umpired 107 games, 99 of which were behind the plate.
Managerial career
Burnhan began the season as the manager of an upstart National League team, the Indianapolis Hoosiers. However, after a very slow start, the team had a 6-22 record, and was in last place; he was fired on June 2. Fred ThomasFred Thomas (manager)
Frederick L. Thomas is a former Major League Baseball manager. In 1887, Thomas was the manager for the Indianapolis Hoosiers. His record was 11-18 before he was fired and replaced by Horace Fogel.-External links:*...
took over as interim manager in addition to his front office duties.
Later life
Watch Burnham died at the age of 42 in Detroit, MichiganDetroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
, and is interred at Oakwood Cemetery
Oakwood Cemetery
Oakwood Cemetery may refer to:*Historic Oakwood Cemetery, a cemetery in Raleigh, North Carolina*Oakwood Cemetery , burial site of Henry C...
in Saline, Michigan
Saline, Michigan
Saline is a city in Washtenaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 8,810.The city is popular for its annual Celtic Festival, which attracts people from all over the United States and its sister cities Brecon, Wales and Lindenberg, Germany...
.
External links
- Baseball-Reference.com - career managing record
- Retrosheet