The Umpire by Milton Bracker on Baseball Almanac

The Umpire by Milton Bracker

Many great men and women have written entire books about every aspect of the game; however, other than "Casey At Bat," few know about some of the other great poems that have appeared honoring our national pastime. Listed below is the baseball poem: The Umpire.

"I wouldn't umpire a baseball game for the world. It requires too much judicial and tempermental balance." - Judge Landis

Published: The New York Times (1962)

The umpire is a lonely man
Whose calls are known to every fan
Yet none will call him Dick or Dan
In all the season's games.

They'll never call him Al or Ed
Or Bill or Phil or Frank or Fred
Or Jim or Tim or Tom or Ted
They'll simply call him names.

The Umpire by Milton Bracker ©

Do you think the men behind the plate are doing a good job today? How about in years gone by? Share what you like or dislike on our message board.

At an old ball park in Kansas City during the 1886 season, there was a sign that read, "Please do not shoot the umpire; he's doing the best he can!"

Baseball Almanac believes the best description for the job an umpire has to do can be found in the quote, "It's the only occupation where a man has to be perfect on Opening Day and improve as the season goes on."

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