Books and articles about Bill Summers

RELATED LINKS » 1957: Red Smith on Spitballers

A boxing enthusiast, Summers developed into one of the best umpires in the AL and shares the record with Al Barlick of working seven All- Star Games, six behind the plate. One of his most controversial calls came in a game between the Indians and the Red Sox in 1949. Boston's Johnny Pesky hit a double with the bases loaded that was turned into a triple because Summers ruled that Cleveland outfielder Dale Mitchell threw his glove at the ball. The rule was later changed to state that a thrown glove must touch the ball to be a violation. (RTM)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » July 26, 1936: Umpire Bill Summers is forced out the game after he hit in the groin by a pop bottle thrown from an unruly crowd of 50,000 at Comiskey Park. The crowd is upset with a out call at 1B on Ray Radcliff in the 8th of the nitecap. Judge Landis, on hand to watch the game, offers a $5,000 reward over the PA system for the culprit, but only draws more boos. The deluge of pop bottles finally abates when Jimmy Dykes pleads through the field amplifier. The Yanks sweep a pair from the Sox, winning 12–3 and 11–8 in 11 innings. Lou Gehrig hits his 29th with two aboard to start New York's scoring in the opener. DiMaggio and Lazzeri add round trippers to make it easy for Johnny Broaca. Sugar Cain is the losing pitcher. In the nitecap, Gehrig adds another homer, while Zeke Bonura homers and drives home four runs for the Sox. DiMaggio has one hit, a triple. The sweep increases New York's lead to nine 1/2 games. » October 3, 1942: Ernie White shuts out New York on six hits, winning 2–0. Arguments during the game result in $200 fines for Joe Gordon and Frank Crosetti; the latter will also suspended for the first 30 days of the 1943 season for shoving umpire Bill Summers. » May 27, 1943: In a 3–2 loss to the Tigers, the Yankees Johnny Allen, incensed over a balk call, attacks umpire George Barr and is suspended for 30 days and fined $200. On May 21st, Frank Crosetti made his first start after serving a 30-day suspension for umpire pushing. This occurred in the 3rd game of the World Series when Crosetti pushed Bill Summers. » November 23, 1944: Five groups totaling 23 players, managers, umpires, and writers visit war theaters as part of the USO program. Included are Mel Ott, Dutch Leonard, Frankie Frisch, Bucky Walters, Harry Heilmann, Carl Hubbell, Freddie Fitzsimmons, Bill Summers, Beans Reardon, Johnny Lindell, Tuck Stainback, Steve O'Neill, Leo Durocher, Joe Medwick, Nick Etten, Dixie Walker, Paul Waner, and Rip Sewell. » April 17, 1952: Umpire Bill Summers turns in 7 members of the White Sox and Indians for "fraternizing" before a game, won by the Indians 7-3. The AL fines the unnamed players $5 each for violating the 1951 rule. » December 7, 1959: American League umpires Bill Summers and Ed Rommel retire.