Doug Harvey
From BR Bullpen
Note: This page links to Doug Harvey, the former umpire. For the NHL Hall of Fame defenseman who played in the minors from 1947 to 1950, click here.
Harold Douglas Harvey (Silver, God)
- Height 6' 2", Weight 195 lb.
- School San Diego State University
- Debut April 10, 1962
- Last Game October 4, 1992
- Born March 13, 1930 in South Gate, CA USA
[edit] Biographical Information
When Doug Harvey retired in 1992, he was the longest serving umpire since Bill Klem. Harvey began his career in the California League in 1958. He worked in the Pacific Coast League in 1961 before being called up to the majors.
During his major league career, Harvey worked over 4500 National League games. He was in nine League Championship Series, five World Series, and six All-Star Games. He was the home plate umpire at the 1982 game and in 1992, an honor for his 31 seasons as an umpire. He gained the nickname "god" as a result of his actions on the field. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of the rules of the game.
In 1997, throat cancer caused by smokeless tobacco turned Harvey into an active campaigner against the substance. Since 1997, he has given hundreds of talks about the dangers of chew.
Doug Harvey led the composite ballot in the 2007 Veterans Committee election to the Hall of Fame but he fell short of the required 75% for election.
