| Laz Díaz | |
|---|---|
Diaz in 2008. |
|
| Born | March 29, 1963 |
| Occupation | MLB umpire |
| Height | 5' 11" inches |
| Weight | 210lb. |
Lazaro Antonio Díaz Sr. (born March 29, 1963 in Miami, Florida) is an umpire in Major League Baseball. He joined the American League's full-time staff in 1999, and has worked in both major leagues since 2000.
His professional umpiring career began after he attended the Harry Wendelstedt Umpire School in 1991. He worked his way up to the International League for the 1995 season. Díaz was one of the 22 umpires promoted to the major leagues in the wake of the Major League Umpires Association's mass-resignation strategy in July 1999. Prior to his professional umpiring career, he served in the Marine Corps Reserves. Díaz's hand-to-hand combat skills were displayed on the baseball diamond when he was attacked by an intoxicated fan while umpiring first base in a game at Chicago's Comiskey Park in April 2003. He easily stifled the attack, and the fan was later sentenced to jail time for aggravated battery.[1]
Díaz was the second base umpire when Barry Bonds broke Hank Aaron's career home run record. On July 23, 2009, Díaz was the third base umpire when Mark Buehrle threw a perfect game.
He has worked the American League Championship Series in 2009 and the American League Division Series in 2002, 2006 and 2007. He also umpired the All-Star Game in 2000.
For the 2011 season, Díaz was in Crew A with John Hirschbeck (crew chief), Wally Bell, and Scott Barry.
Díaz is featured in Pepsi commercials with the Detroit Tigers' Johnny Damon, the Minnesota Twins' Joe Mauer and broadcaster Gary Thorne.
On Sunday March 7, 2010, Laz Díaz was inducted to the Cuban Hall of Fame.