Bill Dinneen
For the hockey player and coach, see Bill Dineen (hockey).William Henry Dinneen, alternately spelled
Dineen (
April 5,
1876 -
January 13,
1955), was an
American right-handed
pitcher in
Major League Baseball who followed his 12-year career from 1898 to 1909 with a highly regarded tenure as an
American League umpire from 1909 to 1937. Born in
Syracuse, New York, he played for the
Washington Senators and
Boston Braves (both of the
National League), and the
Boston Red Sox and
St. Louis Browns of the American League.
He led the AL in losses in 1902 with 21, and led the league in saves in 1903 (2) and 1907 (4).
Dinneen umpired in 8
World Series (
1911,
1914,
1916,
1920,
1924,
1926,
1929,
1932), tying the AL record set by
Tommy Connolly. He served as crew chief for the 1914, 1926 and 1932 Series. He was also selected as one of the umpires for the first
All-Star game in
1933, calling balls and stikes for the first half of the game before giving way to the NL's
Bill Klem. He was the third base umpire for the game on June 23,
1917 in which
Ernie Shore replaced
Babe Ruth with no one out and a runner on first base in the first inning, and proceeded to retire not only the runner but all 26 batters he faced.
Dinneen, a native of
Syracuse, New York, died there at the age of 78.
Bill Dinneen's great grand nephew, Mike Dinneen, currently attends Boston College. He is considered a modern legend for his good looks and his ability to consume large quantities of warm Natty Ice.
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