The Men in Blue: Conversations with Umpires

by Larry R. Gerlach

The philosopher Jacques Barzun thought that "whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball." And whoever wants to know baseball had better learn about umpires. As Larry Gerlach points out in The Men in Blue , these arbiters transform competitive chaos into organized sport. They make it possible to "play ball," but nobody loves them. Considering the abuse meted out by fans and players, why would any sane person want to be an umpire? Many reasons emerge in conversations with a dozen former major league arbiters. While nobody loves them, they love the game. Gerlach has elicited entertaining stories from these figures under fire--about their lonely travels, their dealings with umpire baiters, battles for unionization, breaking through the color line, and much more. From Beans Reardon, who came up to the National League in 1926, to Ed Sudol, who retired in 1977, here is a witty and telling portrait of baseball from the boisterous Golden Age to the Jet Age of Instant Replay.

Genres: Baseball, Sports, Nonfiction

294 pages, Paperback

First published July 10, 1980

About the author

Larry Gerlach is professor emeritus of history at the University of Utah, where he taught from 1968 to 2013. He received a BS in education and an MA in history from the University of Nebraska and a PhD in history from Rutgers University.

Reviews

[Nate Hendrix · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book. I got it because it was mentioned in another book about baseball that I read. This is an oral history as told by umpires from the 1940's to the 1970's. An amazing insight into what baseball was like then. They talk about notorious rhubarbs, chasing players and managers, and kicking calls. If you don't know what that means you need to read this book.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A much deserved historical presentation

As a lifelong baseball fan, who has yelled at the umpires in the past, this book has offered me a new perspective and appreciation for these undervalued and unsung individuals. Officials in any sport have abuse hurled at them constantly, and the majority, willingly accept it. This book offers an inside look into how it affected their psyches without being analytical.

Larry Gerlach let the stories flow, and James Patrick Cronin did an impeccable job of sharing these men's voices.

I bought this book to listen with my nephew on a car trip. He loved it as much as I did. Bravo!

[Phil Hardin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tells the story of twelve different Major League umpires. It traces their careers through the minors and into the majors. Many of them experienced tough but interesting times before finally making it to the majors. I enjoyed the many good stories shared.
Being that the book was written in 1980 it provides an interesting throwback to the “Golden Years” of baseball.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful oral history of baseball umpires between 1920s and 1970. Great insight into the games and players from the unique position of the umpire. Gerlach does a great job capturing each ump’s distinctive voice as well as the challenging path each took to get to the majors.

[James Klagge · Rating 4 out of 5]

The umpires were from my era and before. Interesting recollections.

[Lee Ballanfant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining book with interviews with a dozen or so former ML Umpires. Many of the stories told are new and funny. Particularly good are the chapters for Beans Reardon and Joe Rue.

[Lee Ballanfant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still the best book on umpires. Excellent collection of stories. Have reread it a few times.