Billy Evans

Umpire
  • Card series: Diamond Heads '15
  • League: American League
  • Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame

William George Evans (1884-1956) began as the youngest ML umpire and went on to a Hall of Fame career of whom a top Yankee pitcher said “He is the best, fairest and squarest umpire in the league.” A rare official with no playing experience, Evans quickly established his credibility in a rowdy era. In “one of the most disgraceful scenes ever witnessed on a ball field” his skull was fractured by a hurled bottle in a Browns/Tigers game.

  • A gifted writer and analyst of the game, authored books and was an early sports columnist
  • Went on to executive positions with teams and head of the minor league Southern Association
  • Elected to Hall of Fame: 1973

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