Books and articles about John Rice

Rice was a hard man to slip one past. On the night of July 17, 1969, Orioles' catcher Clay Dalrymple came out with his regular catcher's mitt on his left hand and a fielder's glove in his back pocket. Dalrymple figured he might better make a play at the plate by using the more flexible glove. Rice was nonplussed for only a moment, then ordered Dalrymple to return the fielder's glove to the bench, citing the rule that there cannot be extra gloves on the field. (RTM)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » August 2, 1964: In Baltimore's 8–7 win over Kansas City, Brooks Robinson hits a ball that strikes the LF pole at KC and it is ruled in play by John Rice. Brooks is thrown out at 3B. Later Rice admits he made a mistake. » July 9, 1969: With the Twins hosting Kansas City, the Royals Bob Oliver attempts to steal 2B with Ellie Rodriguez at bat. Catcher John Roseboro pushes Rodriguez's bat out of the way and his throw to 2B nails Oliver. After huddling eight minutes with his umpire crew, home plate ump John Rice declares Rodriguez out for interference and orders Oliver back to 1B, though (as author Rich Marazzi points out) the rule states that an out nullifies an interference call. The Royals win, 4–3. Killebrew accounts for all the Twins scoring with a homer. » April 25, 1970: Tiger P Earl Wilson fans for the 3rd out in the 7th inning against the Twins. On the 3rd strike by Jim Kaat, Twins C Paul Ratliff traps the ball in the dirt, and must either throw to 1B or tag the batter. Instead he rolls the ball back to the mound, ignoring the fact that ump John Rice has not signaled a K. As the Twins head for their dugout, Wilson begins running the bases and is around 3B when OF Brant Alyea retrieves the ball and throws to SS Leo Cardenas, who is standing by home. Wilson turns back to 3B but Cardenas and Alyea run him down for a 7-6-7 out on a 3rd strike. Wilson pulls a hamstring on the play and leaves, trailing, 2–1, and Detroit ties it up 3–3 in the 9th. But Harmon Killebrew singles home Tony Oliva in the bottom of the 9th for the win. » September 20, 1972: At Anaheim, Royals pitcher Steve Busby loses a grand slam when 1B ump John Rice signals that he had called time before the gopher pitch. John Mayberry had already hit a grand slam in the inning.