Harry Wendelstedt, former big league umpire—father of current MLB umpire Hunter Wendelstedt and owner of the Harry Wendelstedt Umpire School—has died. He was 73 years old.
Considered a mentor by many and a friend by umpires everywhere, the senior Wendelstedt was truly an arbiter who did things the right way. He worked in the National League for 33 years until his 1998 retirement, officiating three NLDS, seven NLCS and five World Series. He also worked four All-Star games and umpired five no-hitters, a record shared with Hall of Fame umpire Bill Klem.
Wendelstedt served four terms as President of the Major League Umpires Association and was recently nominated for Hall of Fame consideration by sportswriter Dr. John McCollister and LA Dodgers legend Tommy Lasorda, who today said, "He deserves it."
By all accounts from players, coaches, managers and fellow umpires, Harry Wendelstedt was an all-around class act and a huge fan of the game: "He lived for baseball. He live...
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