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Written by Rene Nadeau Monday, 04 May 2009 07:36
Young Harry already had tremendous knowledge of the sport. He asked for and received a brochure for the Al Summers Umpire School. At the time, he was a substitute high school teacher and worked in a Montgomery Ward Sporting Goods store.
"I was accepted to umpire school in 1961," Harry recalls. "I finished as the outstanding student in my class (of 100 prospective umpires). Only 3 made it to the majors and that was a lot."
Wendelstedt worked diligently and found himself in the Major Leagues (National League) in 1964. The Majors were full of future Hall of Famers like Hank Aaron, Sandy Koufax, Willie Mays, Warren Spahn and Roberto Clemente.
His first assignment in the "blue" was the St. Louis Cardinals against the Houston Colt 45ers. "I'm at 3rd base (as a rookie ump) and I'm nervous. I'm about to realize a dream. My confidence was sky high," Harry said. One great advantage was that he broke in with an umpiring crew that had over 40 years of experience between them. "Shag Crawford was the crew chief. He was a gentleman and a great umpire. He taught me a lot." Veterans Ed Vargo and Doug Harvey completed the quartet. Harvey would later go onto be the supervisor of umpires."
Wendelstedt worked 35 years in Major League Baseball including witnessing 5 no hitters behind the plate, Bob Gibson (Cardinals), Gaylord Perry (Giants), George Culver (Reds), Bob Forsch (Houston) and a combined no hitter by 3 Atlanta Braves.
Of course, Harry was part of special game moments. And you can't work 9 months out of the year so closely with the players and not have a recollection of a few special memories.
Former Mets outfielder Ron Swoboda held a special spot with Harry. "Ron made some great plays, some great catches and some key hits. I was proud because it gave us a kindred spirit. He was a fellow Marylander." Swoboda also hails from Baltimore.
Native New Orleanian Rusty Staub (a 23 year MLB vet) was also well respected by the veteran umpire. "Rusty was a good man. I considered him a friend."
I asked Harry whom did he respect as his "All Good Guys Team." Some may surprise you.
"I looked for someone who was fair," he said. "Bob Boone (catcher) was a great defensive catcher and very fair. Pete Rose was a great guy. I liked his relationship with the fans. He would stay all day signing autographs until the last person left."
A couple of 1st basemen stood out with Wendelstedt. "Steve Garvey (Dodgers) was a great guy and great with the kids. Hunter (Harry's son and currently a major league umpire) loved Garvey. Willie Stargell (Pirates) was a gentleman, very humorous. He was always friendly."
Mr. Cub, Ernie Banks, was one of his all-time favorites, "There was nothing to dislike. (Banks) was a great ambassador for baseball. He used to tell me, 'Whatcha say, Harry, let's play two.' Of course, he told everyone that."
He also cited Pittsburgh 2nd baseman Bill Mazeroski (hero of the 1960 World Series) as another all-time favorite. He called the Braves Dale Murphy the "kindest gentleman and a tremendous guy."
Usually umpires and both pitchers and catchers do not get along. "They think that it's got to be a strike," he said. "You appreciate a catcher that was fair. Bob Uecker was very fair and a very good defensive catcher. He was honest. He didn't try to talk you into a strike."
Managers were also not likely to be on an umpire's Christmas card list, but one dugout general was special.
"There were a lot of great managers. All umpires ever expected were for them to be fair. As long as I worked hard and gave 100%, (managers) left you alone. One of the better ones was Jim Leyland. He was very smart. I respected him. If he came out to talk, it was legit. He was fair, not a cheap shot."
The worst? "Leo Durocher, he was miserable. We were like cats and dogs since day one," the veteran umpire remembers. "Once in the Chicago Tribune the headline read ‘Rookie ump thumbs the lip' when he was tossed during a 1964 contest."
You can't umpire for all that time without a few memorable ejections. One happened in spring training during Harry's rookie season. He was behind the plate and Phil Niekro was on the mound withJoe Torre catching for the Braves.
"The pitch was outside, a ball," Harry said. "Joe sarcastically told Niekro ‘there goes your perfect game.' I ejected him. He was sarcastic. He thought that he would devour me."
"Joe Torre would try to talk you into a strike each time. (Torre) had two strike zones. He and Johnny Bench. Bench was a pain in the neck."
Wendelstedt was part of baseball history on June 28, 1968. The Dodgers were facing the San Francisco Giants in what is always a bitter rivalry. Don Drysdale was on the mound for the Dodgers in the midst of a scoreless streak that would stretch to 58 consecutive scoreless innings.
"Jeff Torborg was behind the plate for LA," he said. "Giants catcher Dick Dietz was at the plate. Drysadale's pitch was inside, and Dietz stuck out his elbow to get hit. I wouldn't let Dietz take 1st base."
Giants' manager Herman Franks as well as 3rd base coach Peanuts Lowery charged the plate. "Franks was 3 inches from my face. I heard words come out of his mouth that I hadn't heard since I was in the Marines."
After the dust settled, Wendelstedt tossed Franks, Lowery and Dietz from the game. Drysdale struck out the next two batters and preserved his consecutive scoreless streak. Only two people knew that Harry got the call right. "Torborg told me that was the gutsiest call that he ever saw, but if I had had called it the other way; he was going to argue it."
Wendelstedt mastered his craft and was rewarded with 5 World Series assignments, 6 All-star games and 13 Championship playoffs. "When you get to that point and the commissioner gives you a World Series ring, it makes you so very proud."
Harry never forgot the individuals responsible for making him it to the top. "I wanted to give my first World Series ring to my dad, but he said, ‘no, son, I want you to wear that.' He was my biggest fan. My dad would cheer me up when I was in the minors. He was as fine a father as he could be."
One of the 5 World Series that Harry worked were the 1973 series between Oakland and the Mets, won by the A's in 7 games. Vida Blue, Rollie Fingers and Catfish Hunter led the victorious A's. Reggie Jackson and Gene Tenace were also keys for Oakland. The Mets were led by 42-year old Willie Mays, Rusty Staub, Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman and Tug McGraw.
In the 1980 series between Philadelphia and Kansas City, Harry served as the crew chief. It was the very first World Series on artificial turf. The Royals had George Brett, Hal McRae and submariner Dan Quisenberry. The Phillies countered with Mike Schmidt, Steve Carlton and Gary Maddux. The Phillies won in 6 games.
Harry's 1986 World Series experience paired the Mets against the Red Sox. New York had finished the year with a 108-54 record with Doc Gooden and Ron Darling on the mound. All baseball fans know the place in history held by that particular Fall classic.
The 1991 Series was ranked by ESPN as the best Series ever. Minnesota beat Atlanta in 7 games. Randy Bush, Kirby Puckett, Kent Hrbeck and Greg Gagne led the Twins. The Braves were stout with Dave Justice and Cy Young winner Tom Glavine.
Wendelstedt's 5th World Series appearance had him as the crew chief once again in the 1995 annual classic. The Cleveland Indians were making their 1st appearance in 41 years. Kenny Loftin, Eddie Murray and Jim Thome stretched the series to 6 games, but the Atlanta Braves prevailed with an outstanding pitching staff, Tom Glavine, John Smoltz, Greg Maddux and Steve Avery.
Harry always gave his best whenever he stepped onto the field of play. "Decisions could be crucial. I always took my time and gave 100%. When I stepped onto the field, it was all business."
One summer night (August 10, 1998) began with joy and elation and concluded with the deepest sadness, all in a 24 hour period.
"As I grew in stature, the National League used to assign all rookie umpires to me. My bonus was that Hunter (his son) was assigned to me. We were the first father-son team to umpire a Major League game." It was the ESPN game of the week between the Marlins and the Padres. "That was my proudest moment. My dad was so very proud. He watched the game on television."
Shocking news was waiting for Harry and Hunter later that night. "My dad passed away following that game. He was proud and happy. It was the most exciting and the saddest moments on the same day."
Harry is proud of his years of service as an umpire. "I'm proud because I've had a long and rewarding career. I can say that I have never missed a call in my heart. I gave it my all everyday. I appreciate the respect of the players and managers. What mattered most is when fellow umpires recognized you. Shag Crawford said to me ‘One day you'll be in the Hall of Fame if you keep working'."
Harry wore #21 throughout his career. His son, Hunter, now proudly wears that number.
I couldn't let him get away without recalling a "light moment" during his years behind the plate.
"My very first game in the minors, I was assigned to the Georgia-Florida League (in Brunswick, Ga., 1961). I didn't wear a protector. I squatted down and heard a "Rip". I had split my only pair of pants. Every time I'd squat, I'd hear the crowd laugh. A photographer shot me from the back. The next day there was a picture of me squatting with a big patch of white. The headlines read ‘Official Opener.'"
Harry Wendelstedt resides in Ormand Beach, Florida where he operates a school for umpires each January through the first week of February. There are 100-150 in each class. In March, the top 50 are assigned for college baseball and minor league games. His recommendation carries a lot of weight for assignments. He has one daughter, Amy (occupational therapist) and a son, Hunter, now an 11 year veteran umpire in the Major Leagues
And Harry's spare time is spent with a fishing pole...
