Brinkman, who for several years operated the Joe Brinkman Umpires' School in Cocoa,
FL, was an All-Army baseball and football standout who hoped for a pro football career.
He was chief of the umpiring crew that ruled George Brett out after he hit a home
run with a bat deemed to have pine tar beyond the 18-inch limit. AL president Lee
McPhail overturned the call.
(RTM)
FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»May 31, 1996: The Indians bang 18 hits to beat Milwaukee 10–4, but the biggest hit is when Albert Belle decks Brewers 2B Fernando Vina with a vicious forearm in the 8th inning to set off a two-team brawl. Belle was on first after being hit with a pitch. In the 9th, Milwaukee reliever Terry Burrows throws three inside pitches before he finally plunks Belle. Tribe reliever Julian Tavarez then throws a pitch behind the back of Mike Matheny, who charges the mound. Both benches clear and during the brawl Tavarez slams down ump Joe Brinkman and Belle knuckles Brewer Steve Sparks. Belle, Tavarez, and Matheny will each receive 5-game suspensions for their brawling.
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