- 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
- Series: Beginnings: 1880's
- League: National League
Wallace Clifton Fessenden (1860-1935) was born in New Hampshire as the clouds of civil war were gathering. At age 28 he umpired in the National League, logging 52 games in 1889 and returning for one game in 1890. At the end of that season, Fessenden left his referee garb on July 2 and stepped in as the interim manager of the American Association's Syracuse Stars three weeks later. The team went 4-7 during his time at the helm. His ace that season was Dan Casey, who although not the real model for Mighty Casey, had the honor of reenacting Thayer's opus at the inauguration of the Hall of Fame in 1939. The best hitter on the Stars was Cupid Childs who hit .345. Wally followed George Kasson Frazier who, with Fessenden, shared the distinction of managing the Stars that year as their only major league managerial experience. Frazier was the team owner and stepped aside as the season wound down toward the dissolution of the club at year's end. The Stars had been an International Association team in 1888 and '89 before their sole MLB season in the AA.
- Fessenden had gained some minor league managerial experience with Lynn of the Massachusetts State Association in 1884 and with Salem of the New England League in 1888
- Series: Beginnings: 1880's
- League: National League
John H. Gaffney (1855-1913) was denied a major league career as a third-baseman by an arm injured throwing a snowball. Baseball may have lost an infielder but gained its first great umpire when, in 1884, Gaffney joined the National League cadre. Renowned for his expert pitch calling, no official presided over more post-season games in the 19th century than “Honest John.” His general baseball expertise led to his being hired to manage the Washington D.C Nationals club in 1886-87. Gaffney pioneered important changes in umpiring practices including using multiple refs, positioning of field umps and defining foul balls. The umpire bore the brunt of fan outrage in a day when violence was all too prevalent on the field. Perhaps succumbing to such pressure, John was felled by the scourge of his era, alcoholism, and left the majors in 1894. Brief failed attempts to revive his NL career did, however, allow him to become one of only two, with Tom Lynch, to officiate twelve seasons in baseball’s first century.
- Dubbed the “King of the Umpires”, John was so admired by players that Connie Mack and Hank O’Day surprised him with a diamond ring in appreciation for his management skills during their ’87 Series
- Series: Diamond Heads '15
- League: National League
- Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame
William Joseph Klem (nee Klimm) (1874-1951) was the great founding-father of baseball umpiring. He brought a level of expertise and dignity that helped transform officiating and the game itself. And he was colorful: “It ain’t nothin’ till I call it;” “Gentlemen, he was out because I said he was out;” and “Son, when you pitch a strike, Mr. Hornsby will let you know.”
- Joined the NL crew in 1905, worked a record 18 World Series (no one else did more than 10)
- Was the longest-tenured and oldest umpire until exceeded in both by Bruce Froemming
- Elected to Hall of Fame: 1953
- 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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