Brian Runge
Encyclopedia
Brian Edward Runge is an umpire
in Major League Baseball
who has worked in the National League
in 1999 and throughout both major leagues since 2000. He wears uniform number 18. He has worked in the 2004
and 2007 American League Division Series
. His father, Paul (NL, 1973-97), and grandfather, Ed
(American League
, 1954-70), were also major league umpires, which makes the Runges the first three-generation umpiring family in major league history. During a game between the New York Yankees and Cincinnati Reds at Yankee Stadium early in the 2008 season, Yankees broadcaster Michael Kay commented on Runge's emphatic called strike three on Derek Jeter, calling it, "histrionic." Runge's crew for the 2011 season includes Tim McClelland
(crew chief), Ted Barrett
, and Marvin Hudson
.
On Wednesday, September 3, 2008, Runge was the third base umpire when Alex Rodriguez
hit a home run which bounced off a catwalk behind the left field foul pole; it was the first play in major league history which involved the use of instant replay to confirm a home run call.
On July 10, 2009, Runge was behind the plate for San Francisco Giants pitcher Jonathan Sánchez
's no-hitter
. Runge made a dramatic called third strike to end the game on a pitch that appeared to be a ball. His grandfather Ed was also home plate umpire for a no-hitter, Dave Morehead
's 1965 gem.
Runge went on a hiatus from umpiring from the middle of July 2009 until September 20, 2009 for an undisclosed reason. He returned to the field on September 21, 2009 in Milwaukee to work home plate in a game between the Brewers and the Chicago Cubs.
Runge did not umpire a 2010 regular season game until April 30, 2010, where he was the home plate umpire for the Tigers-Angels game at Comerica Park.
On a July 28, 2010 game between the Chicago White Sox and Seattle Mariners, Runge exited prior to the start of the third inning, after taking a foul tip off his mask during a Paul Konerko at-bat against Jason Vargas in the first. After over a month of not umpiring due to this injury, Runge returned to the field on September 2, 2010.
Milton Bradley, telling him that umpire Mike Winters
had told him that he "flipped his bat in [his] direction." Bradley confronted Winters, who reportedly shouted profanity at Bradley. In his frustration, Bradley approached Winters, and needed to be restrained by his manager Bud Black
, tearing his ACL in the process.
On June 15, 2008, Runge was involved in a controversial incident involving the Minnesota Twins
and their manager Ron Gardenhire
. Gardenhire was angry that Runge didn't allow Brendan Harris time to reset in the batter's box. On an 0-2 count, Harris got into the box, and then pulled one foot out, asking for time. Runge didn't grant it and Brewers reliever Guillermo Mota delivered to the plate. Runge called the pitch a strike and a shocked Harris, who wasn't looking at Mota, dropped his bat and began to complain. Gardenhire came out to get Harris and argued with Runge, who warned him to go back to the dugout before ejecting him.
Nine days later, Runge was involved in an altercation while working home plate during a New York Mets
/Seattle Mariners
game at Shea Stadium
on June 24. After Carlos Beltran
of the Mets questioned a called strike, Runge walked in front of the plate to dust it off, saying some words to Beltran in the process. When Mets manager Jerry Manuel
came out to argue, Runge appeared to bump Manuel in the chest, before ejecting both Manuel and Beltran. Those involved in the incident suggested that Runge's actions were "unsportsmanlike" and ought to garner a suspension. Various sports talk hosts, including Michael Wilbon of ESPN, agreed with this view. As a result of the incident, Manuel and Beltran were fined, while Runge was suspended for one game.
On July 19, 2008 (Tigers vs Orioles in Baltimore), Runge made a controversial call on a play at the plate. In the 10th inning, with 2 outs, Gary Sheffield singled and Placido Polanco attempted to score from 2nd base. Runge, who had a perfect position to watch the play, called Polanco out to end the inning. Replays showed Polanco clearly touching the plate prior to the tag. This would have given the Tigers a one-run lead going into the bottom of the 10th inning. Luke Scott would eventually come up in the bottom of the 10th inning and hit a walk-off solo home run to win the game for Baltimore. Runge had another questionable call the following day as the third-base umpire(Orioles/Tigers). He ruled Marcus Thames' sixth-inning home run a foul ball, but was overruled by home plate umpire Greg Gibson. The home run counted.
On September 26, 2009, Runge was involved in another controversial call. It happened in the top of the fifth inning of the Seattle Mariners
' extra-inning 5-4 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays
at Rogers Centre. With a runner on third base, one out and Seattle leading, 2-0, Ichiro Suzuki
took three consecutive pitches from Blue Jays left-hander David Purcey
. All three pitches were called strikes. This incited Ichiro to back away and take a few steps back. He stuck out his bat, leaned over the plate and drew a line in the dirt, indicating that he thought the pitch was outside. Without any hesitation, Runge ejected Ichiro from the ballgame; Ichiro did not discuss the decision. Replays shown after the ejection showed that the third strike was outside. This was the first time in Ichiro's baseball career he was ejected, it also was the first time in the year any Mariners member, coach or player, was ejected for arguing balls and strikes. The Mariners came within seven games of becoming the first Major League team since 1994 to go through an entire season without having someone ejected.
Umpire (baseball)
In baseball, the umpire is the person charged with officiating the game, including beginning and ending the game, enforcing the rules of the game and the grounds, making judgment calls on plays, and handling the disciplinary actions. The term is often shortened to the colloquial form ump...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
who has worked in 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...
in 1999 and throughout both major leagues since 2000. He wears uniform number 18. He has worked in the 2004
2004 American League Division Series
-Anaheim Angels vs. Boston Red Sox:-Game 1, October 5:Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New YorkPitching dominated in Game 1 as Mike Mussina faced Johan Santana. The Twins got on the board first when Shannon Stewart singled home Michael Cuddyer. Then in the sixth, Jacque Jones hit a solo home run to make...
and 2007 American League Division Series
2007 American League Division Series
-Cleveland Indians vs. New York Yankees:-Game 1, October 3:Fenway Park in Boston, MassachusettsIn Game 1, Boston starter Josh Beckett threw a complete-game shut out, allowing the Red Sox to win the opener...
. His father, Paul (NL, 1973-97), and grandfather, Ed
Ed Runge
Edward Paul Runge was a baseball umpire. He was born in Buffalo, New York and lived in Buffalo, San Diego, California, and St. Catharines, Ontario during his childhood....
(American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
, 1954-70), were also major league umpires, which makes the Runges the first three-generation umpiring family in major league history. During a game between the New York Yankees and Cincinnati Reds at Yankee Stadium early in the 2008 season, Yankees broadcaster Michael Kay commented on Runge's emphatic called strike three on Derek Jeter, calling it, "histrionic." Runge's crew for the 2011 season includes Tim McClelland
Tim McClelland
Timothy Reid McClelland is an umpire in Major League Baseball who has worked in the American League from 1983 to 1999 and throughout both leagues since 2000. He has called many important games, from post-season games to the George Brett "Pine Tar" game in...
(crew chief), Ted Barrett
Ted Barrett
Edward George "Ted" Barrett is an umpire in Major League Baseball. He joined the American League's staff in 1994, and has worked throughout both major leagues since 2000....
, and Marvin Hudson
Marvin Hudson
Marvin Lee Hudson is a Major League Baseball umpire who began his career in the National League in . He has officiated in the 2004 All-Star Game and two Division Series . He wears uniform number 51.Hudson graduated from Marietta High School in 1982 and Piedmont College in 1986...
.
On Wednesday, September 3, 2008, Runge was the third base umpire when Alex Rodriguez
Alex Rodriguez
Alexander Emmanuel "Alex" Rodriguez is an American professional baseball third baseman with the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball. Known popularly by his nickname A-Rod, he previously played shortstop for the Seattle Mariners and the Texas Rangers.Rodriguez is considered one of the best...
hit a home run which bounced off a catwalk behind the left field foul pole; it was the first play in major league history which involved the use of instant replay to confirm a home run call.
On July 10, 2009, Runge was behind the plate for San Francisco Giants pitcher Jonathan Sánchez
Jonathan Sanchez
Jonathan O. Sánchez is a Puerto Rican Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher for the Kansas City Royals....
's 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"...
. Runge made a dramatic called third strike to end the game on a pitch that appeared to be a ball. His grandfather Ed was also home plate umpire for a no-hitter, Dave Morehead
Dave Morehead
David Michael Morehead is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. A right-hander, Morehead pitched for the Boston Red Sox and Kansas City Royals ....
's 1965 gem.
Runge went on a hiatus from umpiring from the middle of July 2009 until September 20, 2009 for an undisclosed reason. He returned to the field on September 21, 2009 in Milwaukee to work home plate in a game between the Brewers and the Chicago Cubs.
Runge did not umpire a 2010 regular season game until April 30, 2010, where he was the home plate umpire for the Tigers-Angels game at Comerica Park.
On a July 28, 2010 game between the Chicago White Sox and Seattle Mariners, Runge exited prior to the start of the third inning, after taking a foul tip off his mask during a Paul Konerko at-bat against Jason Vargas in the first. After over a month of not umpiring due to this injury, Runge returned to the field on September 2, 2010.
Altercations
In September 2007, Runge reportedly baited then Padres outfielderOutfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
Milton Bradley, telling him that umpire Mike Winters
Mike Winters
Michael John Winters is an umpire in Major League Baseball who has worked in the National League from 1988 to 1999 and throughout both major leagues since 2000. He umpired in the minor leagues from 1982 to 1989 before joining the NL's regular staff in 1990...
had told him that he "flipped his bat in [his] direction." Bradley confronted Winters, who reportedly shouted profanity at Bradley. In his frustration, Bradley approached Winters, and needed to be restrained by his manager Bud Black
Bud Black
Harry Ralston "Bud" Black is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher and current manager of the San Diego Padres.-College:Black played two years at Lower Columbia College in Longview...
, tearing his ACL in the process.
On June 15, 2008, Runge was involved in a controversial incident involving the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
and their manager Ron Gardenhire
Ron Gardenhire
Ronald Clyde "Gardy" Gardenhire is a former Major League Baseball shortstop and current manager of the Minnesota Twins.He is six feet tall and weighed 175 pounds during most of his baseball career....
. Gardenhire was angry that Runge didn't allow Brendan Harris time to reset in the batter's box. On an 0-2 count, Harris got into the box, and then pulled one foot out, asking for time. Runge didn't grant it and Brewers reliever Guillermo Mota delivered to the plate. Runge called the pitch a strike and a shocked Harris, who wasn't looking at Mota, dropped his bat and began to complain. Gardenhire came out to get Harris and argued with Runge, who warned him to go back to the dugout before ejecting him.
Nine days later, Runge was involved in an altercation while working home plate during a New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
/Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
game at Shea Stadium
Shea Stadium
William A. Shea Municipal Stadium, usually shortened to Shea Stadium or just Shea , was a stadium in the New York City borough of Queens, in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park. It was the home baseball park of Major League Baseball's New York Mets from 1964 to 2008...
on June 24. After Carlos Beltran
Carlos Beltrán
Carlos Iván Beltrán is a Major League Baseball outfielder.-Early life:In his youth, Beltrán excelled in many sports, with volleyball and baseball being his favorites. At his father's urging, he gave up volleyball to concentrate on baseball when he was seventeen...
of the Mets questioned a called strike, Runge walked in front of the plate to dust it off, saying some words to Beltran in the process. When Mets manager Jerry Manuel
Jerry Manuel
Jerry Manuel , nicknamed "The Sage" is a former major league manager. He previously managed the Chicago White Sox from 1998 to 2003 and the New York Mets from the middle of 2008 to 2010 and played in the majors for parts of five seasons in the 1970s and early 1980s.-Playing career:Manuel played...
came out to argue, Runge appeared to bump Manuel in the chest, before ejecting both Manuel and Beltran. Those involved in the incident suggested that Runge's actions were "unsportsmanlike" and ought to garner a suspension. Various sports talk hosts, including Michael Wilbon of ESPN, agreed with this view. As a result of the incident, Manuel and Beltran were fined, while Runge was suspended for one game.
On July 19, 2008 (Tigers vs Orioles in Baltimore), Runge made a controversial call on a play at the plate. In the 10th inning, with 2 outs, Gary Sheffield singled and Placido Polanco attempted to score from 2nd base. Runge, who had a perfect position to watch the play, called Polanco out to end the inning. Replays showed Polanco clearly touching the plate prior to the tag. This would have given the Tigers a one-run lead going into the bottom of the 10th inning. Luke Scott would eventually come up in the bottom of the 10th inning and hit a walk-off solo home run to win the game for Baltimore. Runge had another questionable call the following day as the third-base umpire(Orioles/Tigers). He ruled Marcus Thames' sixth-inning home run a foul ball, but was overruled by home plate umpire Greg Gibson. The home run counted.
On September 26, 2009, Runge was involved in another controversial call. It happened in the top of the fifth inning of the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
' extra-inning 5-4 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
at Rogers Centre. With a runner on third base, one out and Seattle leading, 2-0, Ichiro Suzuki
Ichiro Suzuki
, usually known simply as is a Major League Baseball right fielder for the Seattle Mariners. Ichiro has established a number of batting records, including the sport's single-season record for hits with 262...
took three consecutive pitches from Blue Jays left-hander David Purcey
David Purcey
David Kent Purcey is a left-handed pitcher in professional baseball.-Amateur career:Purcey attended high school at Trinity Christian Academy in Addison, Texas, and then attended the University of Oklahoma, where he played for the Sooners baseball team.-Professional career:Purcey originally was...
. All three pitches were called strikes. This incited Ichiro to back away and take a few steps back. He stuck out his bat, leaned over the plate and drew a line in the dirt, indicating that he thought the pitch was outside. Without any hesitation, Runge ejected Ichiro from the ballgame; Ichiro did not discuss the decision. Replays shown after the ejection showed that the third strike was outside. This was the first time in Ichiro's baseball career he was ejected, it also was the first time in the year any Mariners member, coach or player, was ejected for arguing balls and strikes. The Mariners came within seven games of becoming the first Major League team since 1994 to go through an entire season without having someone ejected.