Billy McLean
Encyclopedia
William H. McLean was an English
professional baseball umpire born in Preston, Lancashire, England
. He umpired games in both the National Association
from 1872 until 1875, then the National League
when the Association folded. In total, he was an umpire for 435 games during his 14-season career that lasted from 1872 until 1890.
McLean was the umpire in the first official National League
game, played at the Jefferson Street Grounds
in Philadelphia on April 22, 1876.
August 20, 1874, McLean alleged that some of the Philadelphia Whites had fixed a game with the Chicago White Stockings
. John Radcliffe of Philadelphia had offered him $175 in exchange for favoring Chicago, and had implicated teammates Bill Craver
, Candy Cummings
, Nat Hicks
, and Denny Mack
, the manager
. The Philadelphia ballclub moved against Radcliffe alone and expelled him but the decision was overturned before the next season, on Radcliffe's appeal to the Association.
McLean called three no-hitter
s during his career: Hugh Daily
's on September 13, 1883, Larry Corcoran
's on June 27, 1884, and Pud Galvin
's on August 4, 1884. McLean died at age 91 in Philadelphia, and is interred at Holy Cross Cemetery in Yeadon, Pennsylvania
.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
professional baseball umpire born in Preston, Lancashire, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. He umpired games in both the National Association
National Association of Professional Base Ball Players
The National Association of Professional Base Ball Players , or simply the National Association , was founded in 1871 and continued through the 1875 season...
from 1872 until 1875, then the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
when the Association folded. In total, he was an umpire for 435 games during his 14-season career that lasted from 1872 until 1890.
McLean was the umpire in the first official National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
game, played at the Jefferson Street Grounds
Jefferson Street Grounds
Jefferson Street Grounds was a baseball field located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was also known as Jefferson Park and Athletics Park. It was home to the Philadelphia Athletics from 1871 to 1876, five seasons in the...
in Philadelphia on April 22, 1876.
August 20, 1874, McLean alleged that some of the Philadelphia Whites had fixed a game with the Chicago White Stockings
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
. John Radcliffe of Philadelphia had offered him $175 in exchange for favoring Chicago, and had implicated teammates Bill Craver
Bill Craver
William H. Craver was an American Major League Baseball player from Troy, New York who played mainly as an infielder, but did play many games at catcher as well during his seven year career. He played for seven different teams, in two leagues...
, Candy Cummings
Candy Cummings
William Arthur "Candy" Cummings was a professional baseball pitcher in the National Association and National League who was credited with inventing the curveball. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1939.-Career:...
, Nat Hicks
Nat Hicks
Nathaniel Woodhull "Nat" Hicks was an American Major League Baseball player born in Hempstead, New York. He played for a total of six seasons, two in the National League...
, and Denny Mack
Denny Mack
Dennis Joseph Mack, born as Dennis Joseph McGee, was a professional baseball player who was a first baseman and shortstop in Major League Baseball for eight seasons from to...
, the manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
. The Philadelphia ballclub moved against Radcliffe alone and expelled him but the decision was overturned before the next season, on Radcliffe's appeal to the Association.
McLean called three no-hitter
No-hitter
A no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
s during his career: Hugh Daily
Hugh Daily
Hugh Ignatius Daily, born Harry Criss , nicknamed "One Arm" Daily, was an Irish American professional right-handed pitcher who played six seasons, for seven different teams; the Buffalo Bisons, the Cleveland Blues, and the St...
's on September 13, 1883, Larry Corcoran
Larry Corcoran
Lawrence J. Corcoran was an American pitcher in Major League Baseball. He was born in Brooklyn, New York.Corcoran debuted in 1880, winning 43 games and leading the Chicago team to the National League championship...
's on June 27, 1884, and Pud Galvin
Pud Galvin
James Francis Galvin , nicknamed "Pud", "Gentle Jeems", and "The Little Steam Engine", was an American National Association and Major League Baseball pitcher. He was Major League Baseball's first 300-game winner...
's on August 4, 1884. McLean died at age 91 in Philadelphia, and is interred at Holy Cross Cemetery in Yeadon, Pennsylvania
Yeadon, Pennsylvania
Yeadon is a borough in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States. It borders the City of Philadelphia. The population was 11,762 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Yeadon is located at ....
.