Bill McGowan
| Birthdate | 1/18/1896 |
| Death Date | 12/9/1954 |
| Debut Year | 1925 |
| Year of Induction | 1992 |
| Teams | American League, MLB |
| Position | Umpire |
Bill McGowan umpired eight World Series and four All Star games during his 30-year career. He once worked 2,541 consecutive games.
Leave a commentIn the collection:
Bill McGowan umpired from 1925-1954 and was one of the most respected arbiters of his day
Bill McGowan umpired from 1925-1954 and was one of the most respected arbiters of his day
The umpire is the game’s ultimate arbiter, the man who makes sure the game is played fair and square. Hall of Fame umpire Bill McGowan was known for getting the call right.
Known for his fiery personality, McGowan was a boxer before taking up umpiring. His physical stature, skill with his fists, and uncanny ability to make the correct call made him one of the most respected arbiters of his era.
According to the Hall of Fame, longtime sportswriter Shirley Povich said, “In 30 years in the league, Bill McGowan threw fewer ball players out of ballgames than any contemporary umpire. “
That’s because disputes start with questionable decisions, and McGowan’s decisions commanded respect, even from the hostile players.”
In his three-decade career as an ump, McGowan worked eight World Series. He also earned the honor of working in baseball’s first All Star game in 1933.
McGowan once had a streak of 2,541 consecutive games worked. To put that in perspective, that’s 411 games more than Lou Gehrig’s streak and 91 less than Cal Ripken’s record.
In 1992 his greatness was recognized as he became the 7th umpire to receive a plaque in Cooperstown.
In this letter he advises an up and coming umpire to lie about his age saying, “I believe it would all right if you cut down your age to 29. They are not going to investigate it.”
The letter, dated 1951 is on McGowan’s personal letterhead and written just three years before the end of his Hall of Fame career.
Bill McGowan died in 1954, thirty-eight years before his 1992 induction
Bill McGowan died in 1954, thirty-eight years before his 1992 induction
Bill McGowan passed away in Silver Spring, Maryland in 1954 at the age of 58. Known for his three decade umpiring career, he worked the baseball’s inaugural All Star Game and eight World Series.
McGowan worked 2,532 contests without missing a game from 1925 until 1940. The iron man retired in July, 1954 then died five months late at age 58. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame 38 years later and represented by Bill McGowan Jr.
Shown here is a telegram dated December 9, 1954, the day McGowan died. American League President and Hall of Fame member Will Harridge writes to umpire Hal Dixon.
It reads in part, “The family of Bill McGowan would like to have you and August Donatelli from National League serve with four American League umpires as pallbearers at funeral…”
Bill McGowan was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1992 along with three pitchers
Bill McGowan was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1992 along with three pitchers
Baseball’s highest honor is induction into the sport’s Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. Umpire Bill McGowan received that distinction when the Veterans Committee selected him in 1992.
He was chosen by the committee along with back-to-back MVP, pitcher Hal Newhouser. The writers added two other men, first-ballot selection and three-time Cy Young Award winner Tom Seaver, and former World Series MVP Rollie Fingers who was in his second year of consideration.
The four men were inducted on a sunny afternoon on Sunday, August 2, 1992. Shown here is an invitation to the ceremony. Newhouser’s signature appears at the bottom of the invitation.
