Jack Stafford (umpire) explained

Jack Stafford
Birth Name:John E. Stafford
Birth Date:1879
Birth Place:Portland, New Brunswick
Death Date:May 19, 1946 (aged 66–67)
Death Place:Worcester, Massachusetts
Resting Place:Arlington, Massachusetts
Nationality:Canadian
Occupation:Major League Baseball umpire
Years Active:1906–1907

John E. Stafford (1879 – May 19, 1946) was a professional baseball umpire.

Stafford, who was born in Portland, New Brunswick (now Saint John), Canada, in 1879, umpired a single game in the National League in 1906, and then umpired 131 games in the American League in 1907. He issued five ejections during his career, including future Hall of Fame inductee Sam Crawford in May 1907.[1]

Stafford reportedly lost his major league umpiring job following a disagreement with Philadelphia Athletics manager Connie Mack.[2] Stafford was directed to stop umpiring in September 1907 by American League president Ban Johnson, days after umpiring a four-game series between Philadelphia and Boston.[3] Stafford's position was taken by former umpire (and former player) Tom Brown for the remainder of the season.[4]

Stafford later umpired at other levels, including in the Eastern League and International League.[2] Stafford died in Massachusetts in 1946.

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Notes and References

  1. News: Fourteen-inning Tie at Detroit . . . May 2, 1907 . 12 . August 29, 2017 . newspapers.com.
  2. News: The Referee's Sporting Chat . John M. . Flynn . . . May 22, 1946 . 18 . August 29, 2017 . newspapers.com.
  3. News: Umpire Stafford Talks . . September 18, 1907 . 10 . August 29, 2017 . newspapers.com.
    - Web site: The 1907 AL Regular Season Umpiring Log for Jack Stafford . . August 29, 2017.
  4. News: Tom Brown as an Umpire . . October 4, 1907 . 16 . August 29, 2017 . newspapers.com.
    - Web site: The 1907 AL Regular Season Umpiring Log for Tom Brown . . August 29, 2017.