Durwood Merrill

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Edwin Durwood Merrill (March 12, 1938 - January 11, 2003) was an American umpire in Major League Baseball who worked in the American League for 23 seasons (1977-1999).

Born in Cloud Chief, Oklahoma, Merrill was known for being friendly and outgoing, as well as being a top-notch umpire. He was also a leader in charitable work in his hometown of Hooks, Texas. In 1998 he wrote a humorous collection of his experiences, called You're Out and You're Ugly, Too!.

Merrill umpired in the 1988 World Series, as well as American League Championship Series in 1981, 1983, 1987, 1992 and 1997. Merrill was behind the plate in Game 2 of the 1983 ALCS when Mike Boddicker tied an LCS record with 14 strikeouts. He also officiated in the 1984 and 1995 All-Star Games, calling balls and strikes in the second contest, and in the Division Series in 1996, 1998 and 1999. Merrill also called balls and strikes for Jack Morris' no-hitter on April 7, 1984, and was the first base umpire for Nolan Ryan's sixth no-hitter on June 11, 1990.

Merrill wore number 33 starting in 1980 when the AL adopted uniform numbers. He came into the AL in 1977, the year that the league made all new umpires on staff wear the inside chest protector, which had been standard in the NL for over 60 years. Umpires who were wearing the outside protector and on staff prior to 1977 were grandfathered. Merrill had one of the largest strike zones in baseball, and was easily recognizable when calling balls and strikes, as he crouched directly behind the catcher and often extended his arms far in front of him. Most home plate umpires work in the "slot", which is to the inside shoulder of the catcher (the left shoulder for a right-handed batter and the right shoulder for a left-handed batter).

A heavy-set man, Merrill suffered a heart attack in early January 2003, and died a few days later in Texarkana, Texas at age 64.

Durwood Merrill at Comiskey Park on May 21, 1980
Durwood Merrill at Comiskey Park on May 21, 1980

[edit] External links

Durwood amassed a large memorabilia collection consisting of signed baseballs, game used jerseys and bats from the biggest names in the major leagues. Durwood proudly displayed his impressive collection over the years for the benefit of his charitable efforts of various causes. The collection not only consisted of items he obtained, but he was also entrusted with many items from former umpire Shag Crawford. His charitable efforts for children of Hooks, Texas was remarkable.