Tom Connolly

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

Thomas Henry Connolly (1870-1961) was a young English immigrant who became so fascinated by the strange game of baseball that he resolved to learn as much as he could about it. He devoured the rule book, began umpiring in Massachusetts and was discovered by a big league ump. So began a half-century career ending with election to the Hall of Fame as one of the first two officials so honored (with Bill Klem).

  • Found his niche in the American League, officiating its first game on April 24, 1901
  • From 1931 to 1954 was AL supervisor of umpires, assuring integrity and consistency in the game he knew as well as any man
  • Elected to Hall of Fame: 1953

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