Fred Brocklander
Encyclopedia
Frederick Brocklander (1940 - August 13, 2009) was a Major League Baseball
umpire
in the National League
from to . A native of Baltimore, Maryland, he umpired in the minor leagues for ten years until a strike by major league umpires occurred in 1979, when he became a National League
umpire. He continued umpiring in the National League until retiring in 1992. Throughout his National League Career, he wore number 28.
section of Baltimore, Maryland, in 1940. As a student at Calvert Hall College High School
, he played baseball and soccer. After graduating in 1958, Brocklander attended the University of Baltimore
. In 1962, Brocklander joined the Kansas City Athletics organization as a minor league player.
, Eastern, Midwest
, and Pacific Coast League
s.
When major league umpires went on strike in 1979, Brocklander became a National League umpire. Baseball writer John Steadman
later recalled,
"Some of the veteran umpires, when the walkout was settled, ostracized him. Members of the same crew wouldn't acknowledge he was in the dressing room or on the field."
During his career, Brocklander was selected as an umpire for the 1984 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
. On September 11, , he was umpiring at second base when Pete Rose
broke Ty Cobb
’s all-time hits record with his 4,192nd hit, a single to left-center field off San Diego Padres
pitcher Eric Show
. The following year, while umpiring Game 5 of the 1986 National League Championship Series
between the Astros and Mets, Brocklander made a controversial call that was criticized by Astros fans, when he ruled that Craig Reynolds was out at first base.
Retiring as a Major League Baseball umpire in 1992 due to ill health, he underwent surgery in 1993 for removal of a kidney.
Reflecting in 2006 on his career as a Major League umpire, Brocklander said umpiring is "one of the few professions in the world where you’re supposed to be perfect and get better".
to Odenton, Maryland
, in 1998. He then umpired high school softball games, as well as coaching soccer at Baltimore's Mount Hebron High School
. In 2000, he coached girls' soccer at South River High School
when they played for the Anne Arundel County (Md.) championship.
Brocklander died in Severn, Maryland
, on August 13, 2009, at age 69 following a stroke. He was survived by his wife and three daughters. Subsequent to his death, he was eulogized on a Major League Baseball on Fox telecast. While broadcasting an Orioles-Texas Rangers Game of the Week from Baltimore on Josh Lewin
and Mark Grace called him a "highly regarded major league umpire of twelve years". Lewin and Grace recalled that when Brocklander was home plate umpire, he would not merely call a pitch outside the strike zone
a ball, but also made it a point to announce the pitch's location, such as "ball outside".
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...
umpire
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 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...
from to . A native of Baltimore, Maryland, he umpired in the minor leagues for ten years until a strike by major league umpires occurred in 1979, when he became a 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...
umpire. He continued umpiring in the National League until retiring in 1992. Throughout his National League Career, he wore number 28.
Early life and education
Brocklander was born in the HighlandtownHighlandtown, Baltimore
Highlandtown is a neighborhood of Baltimore, Maryland, United States.The area currently known as Highlandtown was established in 1866 when the area known as "Snake Hill" was established as a village outside of the Baltimore city limits. The first settlers of the community were primarily Greek...
section of Baltimore, Maryland, in 1940. As a student at Calvert Hall College High School
Calvert Hall College High School
Calvert Hall College High School is a Catholic college preparatory high school for boys located in Towson, Maryland, United States...
, he played baseball and soccer. After graduating in 1958, Brocklander attended the University of Baltimore
University of Baltimore
The University of Baltimore , located in downtown Baltimore, Maryland in the Mt. Vernon neighborhood at 1420 N. Charles Street, is part of the University System of Maryland. Through the Freshman Initiative or Lower Division Initiative, UB has transformed from an upper division university to a...
. In 1962, Brocklander joined the Kansas City Athletics organization as a minor league player.
Career as an umpire
After Brocklander finished playing baseball, he began officiating amateur soccer and basketball, including Division I college basketball. He then turned to umpiring in minor league baseball for the next ten years, working in the CarolinaCarolina League
The Carolina League is a minor league baseball affiliation which operates in the South Atlantic Coast of the United States. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth...
, Eastern, Midwest
Midwest League
The Midwest League is a Class-A minor league baseball league which operates in the Midwestern United States.-History:Six teams – the Belleville Stags, the Centralia Cubs, the Marion Indians, the Mattoon Indians or East Frankfort White Sox, the Mount Vernon Braves, and the West Frankfort...
, and Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
s.
When major league umpires went on strike in 1979, Brocklander became a National League umpire. Baseball writer John Steadman
John Steadman
John Steadman was an American sportswriter for The Baltimore Sun. His career spanned 7 decades and he attended and reported on every Super Bowl from its inception until his death.-Background:...
later recalled,
"Some of the veteran umpires, when the walkout was settled, ostracized him. Members of the same crew wouldn't acknowledge he was in the dressing room or on the field."
During his career, Brocklander was selected as an umpire for the 1984 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
1984 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1984 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 55th midseason exhibition between the all-stars of the American League and the National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was played on July 10, 1984 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California, home of the...
. On September 11, , he was umpiring at second base when Pete Rose
Pete Rose
Peter Edward Rose , nicknamed "Charlie Hustle", is a former Major League Baseball player and manager. Rose played from 1963 to 1986, and managed from 1984 to 1989....
broke Ty Cobb
Ty Cobb
Tyrus Raymond "Ty" Cobb , nicknamed "The Georgia Peach," was an American Major League Baseball outfielder. He was born in Narrows, Georgia...
’s all-time hits record with his 4,192nd hit, a single to left-center field off San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
pitcher Eric Show
Eric Show
Eric Vaughn Show was a Major League Baseball player who played for most of his career with the San Diego Padres. On September 11, 1985, Show gave up Pete Rose's record-breaking 4,192nd career hit...
. The following year, while umpiring Game 5 of the 1986 National League Championship Series
1986 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Wednesday, October 8, 1986 at Astrodome in Houston, TexasGame 1 featured a pitching duel between eventual NLCS Most Valuable Player Mike Scott and Dwight Gooden. Scott allowed just five hits and walked one while striking out 14 in a complete-game effort as the host Astros prevailed 1–0...
between the Astros and Mets, Brocklander made a controversial call that was criticized by Astros fans, when he ruled that Craig Reynolds was out at first base.
Retiring as a Major League Baseball umpire in 1992 due to ill health, he underwent surgery in 1993 for removal of a kidney.
Reflecting in 2006 on his career as a Major League umpire, Brocklander said umpiring is "one of the few professions in the world where you’re supposed to be perfect and get better".
Later years and death
Brocklander moved from his home in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
to Odenton, Maryland
Odenton, Maryland
Odenton is a census-designated place in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States. The population was 20,534 at the 2000 census. The town is named after former Governor of Maryland, Oden Bowie. It is bordered by Gambrills to the east, Severn to the north, Fort Meade to the west, and Crofton to...
, in 1998. He then umpired high school softball games, as well as coaching soccer at Baltimore's Mount Hebron High School
Mount Hebron High School
Mount Hebron High School is a public high school located in Ellicott City, Maryland. It is part of the Howard County Public School System.-About the School:...
. In 2000, he coached girls' soccer at South River High School
South River High School (Maryland)
South River High School is a public high school in Edgewater, Maryland. It was built in 1978 and has 2060 students currently enrolled. It received a Blue Ribbon in education...
when they played for the Anne Arundel County (Md.) championship.
Brocklander died in Severn, Maryland
Severn, Maryland
Severn is a census-designated place in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States. The population was 35,076 at the 2000 census, which is a 30 percent increase over the 24,499 population of 1990...
, on August 13, 2009, at age 69 following a stroke. He was survived by his wife and three daughters. Subsequent to his death, he was eulogized on a Major League Baseball on Fox telecast. While broadcasting an Orioles-Texas Rangers Game of the Week from Baltimore on Josh Lewin
Josh Lewin
Josh Lewin is an American sports play-by-play announcer who most recently called television games for the Texas Rangers baseball club. He serves as radio voice of the San Diego Chargers football team...
and Mark Grace called him a "highly regarded major league umpire of twelve years". Lewin and Grace recalled that when Brocklander was home plate umpire, he would not merely call a pitch outside the strike zone
Strike zone
In baseball, the strike zone is a conceptual right pentagonal prism over home plate which defines the boundaries through which a pitch must pass in order to count as a strike when the batter does not swing.-Definition:...
a ball, but also made it a point to announce the pitch's location, such as "ball outside".