Jerry Crawford
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gerald Joseph Crawford (born August 13, 1947 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is an umpire for Major League Baseball. He first umpired in the National League in 1977, and since 2000 has worked in both major leagues. He has been a crew chief since 1998. He is also the brother of NBA referee Joe Crawford and the son of former major league umpire Shag Crawford.
He has worked in the playoffs 18 times, and every season since 1998, including the World Series in 1988, 1992, 1998, 2000, and 2002, serving as crew chief in 1992 and 2002; the League Championship Series in 1980, 1983, 1985, 1990, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, and 2006, with all but the last two being in the NL; and the Division Series in 1981, 2000, 2002 and 2004. His 11th appearance in the League Championship Series in 2005 broke the record he had previously shared with Bruce Froemming. He also umpired in the All-Star Game in 1989 and was the home plate umpire for the 2006 All-Star Game.
Crawford was the president of the Major League Umpires Association in 1999 when the umpires attempted a mass-resignation strategy. The strategy was unsuccessful. While Crawford kept his job, 22 umpires' resignations were accepted. Some have since regained their major league positions, others have been promised a position as soon as a vacancy occurs, and some were offered settlements that did not include a return to the field.
Crawford wears uniform number 2. His crew in 2006 includes Chuck Meriwether, Brian O'Nora, and Phil Cuzzi.
