Mike DiMuro
From BR Bullpen
Michael Ryan DiMuro
- Height 6' 1", Weight 190 lb.
- School University of San Diego
- Born October 12, 1967 in Dunkirk, NY USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Mike DiMuro is a major league umpire and the son of major league umpire Lou DiMuro. His brother Ray DiMuro was a fill-in umpire in the majors as well.
Mike DiMuro began his career in the Arizona League in 1991, a year out of college. He moved up to the California League (1992), Texas League (1993-1994), American Association (1995) and Pacific Coast League (1996). In 1997, he was hired by the Central League as the first American to umpire in Nippon Pro Baseball.
DiMuro was not informed by Japanese officials of the higher strike zone in Japan or the level of violence against umpires in the country. Early in the season, he ran into conflict with Taiwanese slugger Yasuaki Taiho of the Chunichi Dragons over a called strike. Taiho hit DiMuro in the chest and almost knocked him down. Leo Gomez, Taiho's teammate, came to DiMuro's rescue. When Taiho only got a letter of reprimand in response, DiMuro was ordered by the American League to return to the USA because of safety concerns.
Mike worked in the PCL for the remainder of 1997 and remained there in 1998. He came to the majors in 1999, helped by the Richie Phillips-led mass resignation of MLB umpires. DiMuro wore number 16, just as his father had. He worked the 2005 All-Star Game, as well as Division Series in 2000 and 2010.
[edit] Sources
- The Meaning of Ichiro by Robert Whiting, pg. 170-173
- 2010 MLB Umpire Media Guide
