Books and articles about Bill Byron

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Byron was known as "The Singing Umpire" because he would sing some of his calls. His most famous rendition, to a rookie: "You'll have to learn before you're older, you can't get a hit with the bat on your shoulder." (RTM)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » August 1, 1913: At Chicago, the Giants win, 5–2, on a controversial call in the 8th inning. Art Fletcher is called safe at 2B on an steal attempt by ump Bill Byron, prompting a shower of abuse from the crowd. Moments later, Fletcher scores the go-ahead run on a triple by Chief Meyers off Bert Humphries. The beneficiary of the offense is Christy Mathewson, who wins his 20th game, the 11th straight season he's topped the mark. » July 17, 1914: At Forbes Field, Rube Marquard and Babe Adams each go a marathon 21 innings before Larry Doyle's 2-run home run gives the Giants a 3–1 win over the Pirates. Adams yields no walks and 12 hits, the longest non-walk game in ML history. Marquard walks two (one intentional) and yields 15 hits. In the 6th, Honus Wagner goes from first to 3B on a hit by Jim Viox. When New York CF Bob Bescher throws to 3B Milt Stock, the ball bounces out of his hands and disappears. Wagner scores before it's discovered that the ball bounced up under his arm and stayed there as he ran home. Wagner is called out for interference, and the Bucs protest. Manager Clarke is then ejected by umpire Bill "Lord" Byron. In a fitting ending to this unusual game, Giants OF Red Murray is knocked unconscious by a bolt of lightning after catching a fly ball for the final out. Murray is uninjured. Marquard's win is his last in 1914. He will lose 10 straight on his way to a 12–22 record. » July 18, 1916: In Chicago, with the score tied 4–4 in the 10th, umpire Bill "Lord" Byron forfeits a game to Brooklyn when Hippo Vaughn, protesting alleged sign stealing by base runners, refuses to pitch. » June 8, 1917: After a game in Cincinnati, John McGraw takes a swing at umpire Bill "Lord" Byron as they are leaving the field, splitting Byron's lip. NL President John Tener fines McGraw $500 and suspends him for 16 days. McGraw sounds off to writer Sid Mercer about the general shortcomings of Tener and his umpires. When McGraw's quotes are published, he signs a statement denying he'd said what was printed. The Baseball Writers Association protests, forcing another NL meeting at which Tener finds McGraw guilty and fines him another $1,000. Mercer, a friend of McGraw's, quits the beat and never speaks to McGraw again.