Terry Tata
Encyclopedia
Terry Anthony Tata is a former Major League Baseball
umpire
. His career started in 1973 and ended in 1999. During his career, he officiated four World Series
, seven National League Championship Series
and three All-Star games. He also officiated in five no-hitter
s, including being the home plate umpire for two: Phil Niekro
's on August 5, 1973 and Tom Seaver
's on June 16, 1978. Tata wore uniform number 19 for most of his career.
Many baseball-watchers believe the 1991 World Series
, a seven-game affair in which the Minnesota Twins
prevailed over the Atlanta Braves
, was the best World Series ever played. For the first time in history, both league champions had finished the previous season in last place. Before 1991, no league champion had ever finished the previous season in last place. The 1991 Series was ranked by ESPN as the best ever played, with five games decided by one run, four games decided in the final at-bat, and three games going extra innings. The seventh game was scoreless until the bottom of the 10th inning, when Minnesota scored the game's only run.
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...
. His career started in 1973 and ended in 1999. During his career, he officiated four World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
, seven National League Championship Series
National League Championship Series
In Major League Baseball, the National League Championship Series is a round in the postseason that determines who wins the National League pennant and advances to Major League Baseball's championship, the World Series, facing the winner of the American League Championship Series. The reigning...
and three All-Star games. He also officiated in five 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, including being the home plate umpire for two: Phil Niekro
Phil Niekro
Philip Henry Niekro , nicknamed "Knucksie" because of his usage and skill level with the knuckleball, is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997....
's on August 5, 1973 and Tom Seaver
Tom Seaver
George Thomas "Tom" Seaver , nicknamed "Tom Terrific" and "The Franchise", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched from 1967-1986 for four different teams in his career, but is noted primarily for his time with the New York Mets...
's on June 16, 1978. Tata wore uniform number 19 for most of his career.
Many baseball-watchers believe the 1991 World Series
1991 World Series
The 1991 World Series pitted the Minnesota Twins of the American League against the Atlanta Braves of the National League. The series was played from Saturday, October 19 to Sunday, October 27....
, a seven-game affair in which 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...
prevailed over the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
, was the best World Series ever played. For the first time in history, both league champions had finished the previous season in last place. Before 1991, no league champion had ever finished the previous season in last place. The 1991 Series was ranked by ESPN as the best ever played, with five games decided by one run, four games decided in the final at-bat, and three games going extra innings. The seventh game was scoreless until the bottom of the 10th inning, when Minnesota scored the game's only run.