Kerwin Danley
Kerwin Joseph Danley (born May 25, 1961) is an American former umpire in Major League Baseball who worked in the National League (NL) from 1992 to 1999 and throughout both leagues from 2000 to 2021.[1] He was promoted to crew chief for the 2020 season, becoming the first full time African-American crew chief. Danley has umpired in the 2008 and 2018 World Series and the 2007 and 2016 Major League Baseball All-Star Games. He is married to Marisa Danley.
| Kerwin Danley | |
|---|---|
 Danley in 2016 | |
| Born: May 25, 1961 Los Angeles, California | |
| debut | |
| June 12, 1992 | |
| Last appearance | |
| August 29, 2021 | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| Special Assignments |
College baseball
Danley played baseball at San Diego State University, where he was teammates with Bud Black and future Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn, before beginning his umpiring career. He was a First Team All-American in 1983.[2]
Umpire career
Danley was the first base umpire for the game between the San Francisco Giants and the San Diego Padres on August 4, 2007. In the top of the second inning at San Diego, Barry Bonds of the Giants hit his 755th career home run off Clay Hensley, tying Hank Aaron for first all-time.
Danley was on the field at first base on August 6, 1999, when former San Diego State teammate Tony Gwynn collected his 3,000th career hit.[3]
Danley was the first base umpire for Miami Marlins pitcher Edinson Vólquez's no-hitter against the Arizona Diamondbacks on June 3, 2017.[4]
Injuries[5]
Danley has a significant history of head trauma.
In 2008, Danley was hit in the mask and knocked unconscious by a 96-mph fastball at Dodger Stadium. He was carried off the field on a stretcher.[6][7][8]
On April 21, 2009, Danley was again stretchered off the field after being hit in the mask with a broken bat.[9]
On June 4, 2013, Danley was hit in the mask by a pitch that bounced in the dirt in Cincinnati and left the game. He was replaced behind home plate by Lance Barksdale.[10]
On May 12, 2015, Danley was hit in the mask by a 94-mph foul ball in Arizona and left the game. He was replaced behind home plate by Gabe Morales.[11][12]
On April 7, 2016, Danley was hit in the mask by a 98-mph fastball in Miami but remained in the game.
On July 9, 2017, Danley was hit in the mask by a 94-mph foul ball in Dodger Stadium and left the game. He was replaced behind home plate by Adam Hamari.[13]
On April 27, 2021, Danley was hit in the mask by a foul ball in San Francisco and left the game. He was replaced behind home plate by Ryan Additon.[14]
References
- Retrosheet: Kerwin Danley. Accessed July 16, 2007.
- MLB Umpires Roster: Kerwin Danley – 44, retrieved June 24, 2012
- "Tony Gwynn Gets 3,000th Hit". Associated Press. August 7, 1999. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
- "2017 No-Hitter 1, Bill Miller (1; Edinson Volquez)".
- Imber, Gil. "Injury Scout - Kerwin Danley Knocked Out of Giants Game". Retrieved 2021-06-06.
- Saunders, Patrick (April 26, 2008). "Umpire injured by 96 mph pitch". Denver Post. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
- "Umpire out of hospital after losing consciousness when struck by fastball". ESPN.com. Associated Press. April 27, 2008. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
- "Umpire Kerwin Danley hit in head by broken bat". San Diego Union Tribune. April 21, 2009. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
- "Umpire Danley hit by broken bat". ESPN.com. Associated Press. April 21, 2009. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
- Warnemuende, Jeremy (June 3, 2013). "Umpire Danley 'day to day' after exiting game". MLB.com. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
- "Plate umpire Danley leaves game after foul off his facemask". ESPN.com. Associated Press. May 12, 2015. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
- Gilbert, Steve (May 13, 2015). "Foul to mask knocks ump Danley from game". MLB.com. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
- "Home plate umpire leaves game after getting hit in mask". Denver Post. Associated Press. July 9, 2017. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
- "Plate ump Layne hit in mask by foul ball, leaves game". USA Today. Associated Press. April 28, 2021. Retrieved February 7, 2022.