Bill Klem
| Birthdate | 2/22/1874 |
| Death Date | 9/1/1951 |
| Debut Year | 1905 |
| Year of Induction | 1953 |
| Teams | MLB, National League |
| Position | Umpire |
Known as the Father of Baseball Umpires, Bill Klem worked a Major League record 18 World Series and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1953.
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Klem is credited as the first two wear a chest protector and the first to use arm signals
Klem is credited as the first two wear a chest protector and the first to use arm signals
A National League umpire from 1905-1941, Bill Klem worked a big league record 18 World Series. Known as “The Old Arbiter”, Klem was a man of firsts. The majors’ first wearer of a chest protector, Klem is also credited as the first to use arm signals along with his verbal calls.
According to the Hall of Fame’s website, Klem explained his use of signals thusly, “That guy in a twenty-five cent bleacher seat is as much entitled to know a call as the guy in the boxes. He can see my arm signal even if he can’t hear my voice.”
Klem worked on the field from 1905-1941. From there he was promoted to Chief of National League umpires. He served in that position until retiring in 1951. Two years later he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1953.
Shown here is a Klem autograph affixed to a picture with fellow arbiters Cy Rigler, Silk O’Laughlin, and Billy Evans. Riger has a strong Cooperstown candidacy while Evans is already in the Hall. Seven years before his induction, Klem was selected, along with Evans and Connolly for the Hall’s Honor Rolls of Baseball.
Tom Connolly and Klem were the first umpires elected to the Hall of Fame in 1953
Tom Connolly and Klem were the first umpires elected to the Hall of Fame in 1953
In 1953 the Baseball Hall of Fame inducted its first umpires, Bill Klem and Tom Connolly. The men are a study in contrasts.
Klem holds the big league record that will never be broken – 251 career ejections while the mild-mannered Connolly once went a decade without giving a heave-ho.
Born in England, Connolly called balls and strikes the first game in American League history. He also worked the first World Series contest in 1903. The arbiter was behind the plate for four no-hit games, including Addie Joss’s 1908 perfect game. Connolly worked the first game played at Fenway Park, Yankee Stadium, Comiskey Park, and Shibe Park.
Shown here is an index card signed by Connolly who passed away in 1961.
Klem and Hank O'Day worked together for decades in the National League
Klem and Hank O'Day worked together for decades in the National League
Bill Klem teamed with Hank O’Day as umpires for the National League. Both would eventually gain induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
In this telegram Klem expresses his condolences over the passing of baseball concessionaire and purported inventor of the hot dog Harry M. Stevens.
The telegram, addressed to Stevens’ son reads, “Please accept our heartfelt sympathy in this hour of your bereavement. Mr. Henry O’Day as well as my partner Mr. Stewart have asked me to include their names in this message. Mr. and Mrs. WJ Klem.”
Fellow Hall of Fame umpire Jocko Conlan praises Klem and mentions Billy Evans
Fellow Hall of Fame umpire Jocko Conlan praises Klem and mentions Billy Evans
In this handwritten letter, Jocko Conlan has high praise for fellow Hall of Famers Bill Klem and Billy Evans.
Conlan got his start as an umpire after his playing career ended when the National League offered him a job for the 1941 season. Bill Klem was the supervisor of the NL arbiters at the time. Klem quickly took Conlan under his wing becoming his mentor and friend.
In the letter Conlan writes, “I’m glad you put me in with Klem whom I broke in with. He was the greatest of us all.”
Conlan also mentions Billy Evans, another Cooperstown umpire. “Evans was great and a fine man.”
Conlan enjoyed a 25-year umpiring career, officiating five World Series, six All Star games, and four NL playoffs.
At the start of the letter, Conlan talks about his nemesis Leo Durocher in content surrounding their shin-kicking incident.
Klem was the first of the modern day umpires. He introduced the inside chest protector.