Harvey set standard from first day as big league umpire

Whenever Doug Harvey took his place on the field, both teams knew the game was in good hands.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest umpires in the history of the game, Harvey was known for being level-headed and maintaining the utmost respect for players, managers and baseball itself.

When asked about Harvey’s legacy in baseball, Hall of Fame second baseman Joe Morgan had nothing but praise for the legendary umpire.

“Doug Harvey was the model that every umpire should strive to be,” Morgan said. “He was tolerant to a point, yet the players always knew he was in control."

Even early in his life, Harvey knew he wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father. Harvey’s father Hal served as an umpire in the Class C Sunset League, a now-defunct minor league baseball circuit which ran from 1947 to 1950.

“I knew I wanted to be an umpire when I was six years old. My dad was an umpire — and a damn fine one — and I wanted to be just like him,” Harvey wrote in his book “They Called Me God: The Best Umpire Who Ever Lived”. “I wanted nothing more than to be out on that field, and I umpired in the major leagues for 31 wonderful years, and for that I’m very grateful.”

Umpiring his first game at the age of 16, Harvey earned jobs in minor league baseball circuits such as the Class C California League and the Pacific Coast League. He would finally get promoted to the National League in 1962, making his umpiring debut on April 10 of that year in a game between the Cincinnati Reds and Los Angeles Dodgers.

Over his career, Harvey would witness numerous historical events in baseball history, including Roberto Clemente’s 3,000th hit.

Players and managers alike took notice of Harvey’s approach to umpiring, commending him for his skill and objectiveness while also maintaining a no-nonsense demeanor. He would eventually earn the nickname “god”, one that stuck for the rest of his career.

Sportswriter and former historian for Major League Baseball, Jerome Holtzman, had this to say: “Many players and managers refer to Harvey as ‘god’ because in 22 years in the National League, he has yet to make a wrong call.”

After 31 seasons, Harvey would retire from umpiring following the 1992 season. He would finish with 4,673 games called, which is sixth most in the history of Major League Baseball.

Following his retirement, Harvey would be elected to the Hall of Fame in 2010, becoming the ninth umpire to receive the honor.

“My only ambition has been to improve the profession,” said Harvey during his induction speech. “I’ve tried to mentor, teaching them [umpires] everything I know about the game.”

Harvey passed away on Jan. 13, 2018, at the age of 87.

Aidan Shephard was an intern in the Jim Murray Sports Communications Scholars Program at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum