John LaClaire Rice (April 27, 1918 - January 1, 2011) was an American umpire in Major League Baseball who worked in the American League for nineteen seasons. He was born in Homestead, Pennsylvania.[1][2]
Rice played semi-professional baseball in Chicago before joining the United States Marine Corps during World War II conflict, serving from 1942 to 1943 in Guadalcanal and Peleliu.[1][3]
Following his military discharge, Rice began his umpiring career in the Illinois State League in 1948. He later worked in the Middle Atlantic League (1949), California League (1950), Western League (1951–1952) and American Association (1953–1954). After that, he umpired in the American League from 1955 through 1973, appearing in three All-Star Games and four World Series, including the 1959 Chicago White Sox bid.[1] He was behind the plate in Game 3 of the 1971 World Series when Bob Robertson of the Pittsburgh Pirates hit a three-run home run off of Baltimore Orioles 20-game winner Mike Cuellar after missing a bunt sign. The home run proved to be a turning point as Pittsburgh rallied from down 2 games to 0 to win Game 3 and the Series in seven games.
During the offseason, Rice worked in the Cook County Recorders Office and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. He also served as President of the Pitch and Hit Club and the Old Timers Baseball Association of Chicago.[1]
In recognition of his contribution to baseball, Rice was inducted into the Chicago Sports Hall of Fame in 1999.[1]
Rice died in Chicago, Illinois at the age of 92.[2]