Jeff Nelson (umpire)
Encyclopedia
Jeffrey Brian Nelson is an umpire
in Major League Baseball
who was named to the National League
staff prior to the 1999
season, and has worked throughout both major leagues since 2000. Nelson, a graduate of Bethel University
in St. Paul, Minnesota, wears uniform number 45.
Nelson was named Top Prospect at the Joe Brinkman
Umpiring School in 1989. He was promoted to the National League prior to the 1999 season along with Paul Nauert
to fill vacancies left by the retirements of Jim Quick
and Harry Wendelstedt
.
In his young career, Nelson has already umpired in 5 postseasons, including the 2005 World Series
and 2009 World Series
. He also worked the League Championship Series
in 2002
, 2004
, 2010
and 2011
; and the Division Series in 2000
, 2001
, 2005
, 2008 and 2009. He umpired in the 2006 All-Star Game
. Nelson was behind home plate when Mark McGwire
hit his 500th home run, and worked the game in which Rickey Henderson
made his 3000th hit.
While in the minor leagues, Nelson was the chief rules instructor at the former Brinkman-Froemming umpire school in Cocoa, Florida from 1997 until the school's closing in 1998. He continues to teach at umpire clinics in the off-season. Additionally, Nelson is currently the secretary/treasurer of the major league umpires' union, the World Umpires Association
.
In 2010 he is assigned to Crew G with crew chief Jeff Kellogg
, Larry Vanover
and Mark Carlson
.
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 was named to 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...
staff prior to the 1999
1999 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Yankees over Atlanta Braves ; Mariano Rivera, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Orlando Hernández**American League Division Series:*National League Championship Series MVP: Eddie Pérez...
season, and has worked throughout both major leagues since 2000. Nelson, a graduate of Bethel University
Bethel University (Minnesota)
Bethel University is a Christian higher education institution with approximately 6,000 students from 36 countries enrolled in undergraduate, graduate, seminary, and adult education programs...
in St. Paul, Minnesota, wears uniform number 45.
Nelson was named Top Prospect at the Joe Brinkman
Joe Brinkman
Joseph Norbert Brinkman is a former umpire in Major League Baseball who worked in the American League from 1973 to 1999 and throughout both major leagues from 2000 until his retirement during the 2006 season....
Umpiring School in 1989. He was promoted to the National League prior to the 1999 season along with Paul Nauert
Paul Nauert
Paul Edward Nauert is an umpire in Major League Baseball.Nauert previously worked the Appalachian League , the Midwest League , the Florida Instructional League , the Southern League , and the International League .He umpired his first National League game on May 19, 1995, and became part of...
to fill vacancies left by the retirements of Jim Quick
Jim Quick
James Edward Quick is a former Major League Baseball umpire who worked in the National League in and again from -. Quick wore uniform number 15 for most of his career.-Minor Leagues:...
and Harry Wendelstedt
Harry Wendelstedt
Harry Hunter Wendelstedt, Jr. is a former umpire in Major League Baseball who worked in the National League from 1966 to 1998. He umpired in the World Series in 1973, 1980, 1986, 1991 and 1995, serving as crew chief in 1980 and 1995...
.
In his young career, Nelson has already umpired in 5 postseasons, including the 2005 World Series
2005 World Series
The 2005 World Series, the 101st Major League Baseball championship series, saw the American League champion Chicago White Sox sweep the National League champion Houston Astros four games to none in the best-of-seven-games series, winning their third championship and first since 1917.Home-field...
and 2009 World Series
2009 World Series
The 2009 World Series was the 105th edition of Major League Baseball's championship series. The best-of-seven playoff was contested between the Philadelphia Phillies, champions of the National League and defending World Series champions, and the New York Yankees, champions of the American League...
. He also worked the League Championship Series
League Championship Series
The League Championship Series is the official name for a round of postseason play in Major League Baseball which has been conducted since 1969...
in 2002
2002 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Wednesday, October 9, 2002 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri-Game 2:Thursday, October 10, 2002 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri-Game 3:Saturday, October 12, 2002 at Pacific Bell Park in San Francisco, California-Game 4:...
, 2004
2004 American League Championship Series
The 2004 American League Championship Series was the Major League Baseball playoff series to decide the American League champion for the 2004 season. It was played between the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees, at Fenway Park and the original Yankee Stadium, from October 12 to October 20, 2004...
, 2010
2010 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 16, 2010 — 7:30 p.m. at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaIn one of the most touted postseason pitching matchups in recent history, two former Cy Young Award winners faced off: Roy Halladay for the Phillies and Tim Lincecum for the Giants...
and 2011
2011 American League Championship Series
The 2011 American League Championship Series was a best-of-seven playoff pitting the winners of the 2011 American League Division Series, the Texas Rangers and Detroit Tigers, against each other for the American League championship and the right to be the league's representative in the 2011 World...
; and the Division Series in 2000
2000 American League Division Series
-Oakland Athletics vs. New York Yankees:-Chicago vs. Seattle:The Seattle Mariners returned to the postseason to avenge two postseason failures in the 1990s. The Chicago White Sox returned to the postseason for the first time since 1993...
, 2001
2001 American League Division Series
-New York Yankees vs. Oakland Athletics:-Game 1, October 9:Safeco Field in Seattle, Washington-Game 2, October 11:Safeco Field in Seattle, Washington-Game 3, October 13:Jacobs Field in Cleveland, Ohio-Game 4, October 14:Jacobs Field in Cleveland, Ohio...
, 2005
2005 National League Division Series
-Atlanta Braves vs. Houston Astros:-Game 1, October 4:Busch Stadium in St. Louis, MissouriIt was a matchup between Jake Peavy and eventual 2005 Cy Young Award winner Chris Carpenter. In the bottom of the first, Jim Edmonds's one-out solo homer put the Cardinals up 1–0...
, 2008 and 2009. He umpired in the 2006 All-Star Game
2006 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 2006 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 77th playing of the midseason exhibition baseball game between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 11, 2006 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh,...
. Nelson was behind home plate when Mark McGwire
Mark McGwire
Mark David McGwire , nicknamed "Big Mac", is an American former professional baseball player who played his major league career with the Oakland Athletics and the St. Louis Cardinals. He is currently the hitting coach for the St...
hit his 500th home run, and worked the game in which Rickey Henderson
Rickey Henderson
Rickey Henley Henderson is a former Major League Baseball left fielder who played for nine teams from 1979 to 2003, including four stints with his original team, the Oakland Athletics. Nicknamed The Man of Steal, he is widely regarded as the sport's greatest leadoff hitter and baserunner...
made his 3000th hit.
While in the minor leagues, Nelson was the chief rules instructor at the former Brinkman-Froemming umpire school in Cocoa, Florida from 1997 until the school's closing in 1998. He continues to teach at umpire clinics in the off-season. Additionally, Nelson is currently the secretary/treasurer of the major league umpires' union, the World Umpires Association
World Umpires Association
The World Umpires Association is an organization of Major League Baseball umpires. It was certified by the National Labor Relations Board on February 24, 2000 as a bargaining agent. It took over as bargaining agent for MLB umpires before the 2000 MLB season, replacing the Major League Umpires...
.
In 2010 he is assigned to Crew G with crew chief Jeff Kellogg
Jeff Kellogg
Jeffrey William Kellogg is an umpire in Major League Baseball who has worked in the National League from 1991 to 1999 and throughout both major leagues since 2000...
, Larry Vanover
Larry Vanover
Larry Wayne Vanover is an umpire in Major League Baseball. After working in the National League from 1991 to 1999, he has umpired in both Major Leagues since 2000....
and Mark Carlson
Mark Carlson (umpire)
Mark Christopher Carlson is an umpire in Major League Baseball. He wears number 48.Carlson was born in Joliet, Illinois. He began his career as a National League umpire in , and has worked in both Major Leagues since . Carlson had previously worked in the Pioneer, Midwest, Florida State, Southern,...
.
