Bill Engeln
William Raymond Engeln (September 9, 1898 – April 17, 1968) was a professional baseball umpire who worked in the National League from 1952 to 1956. Engeln was the right field umpire in the 1953 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. In his career, he umpired 749 major league games.[1]
Bill Engeln | |
|---|---|
| Born | William Raymond Engeln September 9, 1898 |
| Died | April 17, 1968 (aged 69) |
| Occupation | Umpire |
| Years active | 1952-1956 |
| Employer | National League |
Early life and career
Engeln was born in St. Louis, Missouri and served as a bat boy for the St. Louis Browns when he was young.[2] As an umpire, he spent sixteen seasons (1936 through 1951) in the Pacific Coast League before being promoted to the majors. In 1945, Engeln was surrounded by angry fans after a ninth-inning third strike in a game between the Portland Beavers and Seattle Rainiers. He was attacked by two women who were then led away by police.[3]
Notable games
Engeln also officiated on July 31, 1954, when Joe Adcock hit four home runs in one game.[4] He was behind the plate a day later when Adcock was hit in the head by a Clem Labine pitch. The pitch precipitated a near-physical confrontation between Jackie Robinson and Lew Burdette as Adcock was carried off the field by stretcher.[5]
Death
Engeln died in Palo Alto, California on April 17, 1968.[6]
References
- Retrosheet
- "No title". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Lewiston, Idaho. August 7, 1952. p. 8. Retrieved June 28, 2012.
- "Beavers Victors in Two Contests". Bend Bulletin. Bend, Oregon. United Press. June 16, 1945. p. 2. Retrieved June 28, 2012.
- The Official Major League Baseball Fact Book 2002. The Sporting News. 2002. p. 504. ISBN 0-89204-670-8.
- "Adcock Beaned". Associated Press (wirephoto). August 2, 1954. Retrieved June 29, 2012.
- TSN Umpire Card: Bill Engeln, retrieved June 29, 2012
