Wendelstedt called balls and strikes in five no-hitters, tying an NL record held by Bill Klem. As a home plate umpire, Wendelstedt was known for keeping a wide strike zone. When a batter struck out swinging, he flailed his right arm straight up in the air. When a batter struck out looking, he applied the notorious "chainsaw" move.
On May 31, 1968, Wendelstedt made a call that preserved Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Don Drysdale's consecutive shutouts and scoreless innings streaks. Giants catcher Dick Dietz came to the plate in the top of the 9th inning with the bases loaded and no outs. On a 2–2 count, Drysdale hit Dietz on the elbow, apparently forcing in a run that would have ended the streaks. However, Wendelstedt ruled that Dietz made no attempt to avoid being struck by the pitch, and called him back. Drysdale retired Dietz on a short fly ball and got out of the inning without yielding a run, earning his fifth straight shutout.
On October 8, 1988, in Game 3 of the 1988 National League Championship Series, Wendelstedt, the crew chief, ejected Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Jay Howell from the game for having pine tar in his glove after Mets manager Davey Johnson asked the umpires to check Howell. Howell was later suspended for the rest of the series.
Wendelstedt's son, Harry Hunter Wendelstedt III, followed in his father's footsteps and is a current major league umpire. The younger Wendelstedt goes by his middle name of "Hunter" professionally. To honor his father, Hunter also wears uniform number 21.
Umpire training
In 1977, Wendelstedt took over control of the Al Somers Umpire School from its founder (who had trained Wendelstedt), renaming it the Harry Wendelstedt Umpire School. He ran the school until his death and it continues to bear his name. His son Hunter now leads the school, located in Ormond Beach, Florida.[1]
Death
Harry Wendelstedt died at the age of 73 on March 9, 2012, after suffering from brain cancer for several years.[2][3][4]
^Harry Wendelstedt Umpire School Program History 2013-12-03 at the Wayback MachineHarry Wendelstedt Umpire School
^Kernan, Sean. "Ormond's Harry Wendelstedt, Major League Baseball umpire, dead at 73 - Breaking News". News-journalonline.com. Archived from the original on 2012-09-10. Retrieved 2012-03-09.
^Longtime umpire Harry Wendelstedt dies at 73 MLB.com
harry, wendelstedt, harry, hunter, wendelstedt, july, 1938, march, 2012, umpire, major, league, baseball, worked, national, league, from, 1966, 1998, born, baltimore, maryland, umpired, world, series, 1973, 1980, 1986, 1991, 1995, serving, crew, chief, 1980, 1. Harry Hunter Wendelstedt Jr July 27 1938 March 9 2012 was an umpire in Major League Baseball who worked in the National League from 1966 to 1998 He was born in Baltimore Maryland He umpired in the World Series in 1973 1980 1986 1991 and 1995 serving as crew chief in 1980 and 1995 He also officiated in seven National League Championship Series 1970 1972 1977 1981 1982 1988 1990 and four All Star games 1968 1976 1983 1992 calling balls and strikes in 1976 He umpired in the National League Division Series in 1995 1996 and 1997 He wore uniform number 21 Contents 1 Major League Baseball career 2 Umpire training 3 Death 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksMajor League Baseball career EditWendelstedt called balls and strikes in five no hitters tying an NL record held by Bill Klem As a home plate umpire Wendelstedt was known for keeping a wide strike zone When a batter struck out swinging he flailed his right arm straight up in the air When a batter struck out looking he applied the notorious chainsaw move On May 31 1968 Wendelstedt made a call that preserved Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Don Drysdale s consecutive shutouts and scoreless innings streaks Giants catcher Dick Dietz came to the plate in the top of the 9th inning with the bases loaded and no outs On a 2 2 count Drysdale hit Dietz on the elbow apparently forcing in a run that would have ended the streaks However Wendelstedt ruled that Dietz made no attempt to avoid being struck by the pitch and called him back Drysdale retired Dietz on a short fly ball and got out of the inning without yielding a run earning his fifth straight shutout On October 8 1988 in Game 3 of the 1988 National League Championship Series Wendelstedt the crew chief ejected Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Jay Howell from the game for having pine tar in his glove after Mets manager Davey Johnson asked the umpires to check Howell Howell was later suspended for the rest of the series Wendelstedt s son Harry Hunter Wendelstedt III followed in his father s footsteps and is a current major league umpire The younger Wendelstedt goes by his middle name of Hunter professionally To honor his father Hunter also wears uniform number 21 Umpire training EditIn 1977 Wendelstedt took over control of the Al Somers Umpire School from its founder who had trained Wendelstedt renaming it the Harry Wendelstedt Umpire School He ran the school until his death and it continues to bear his name His son Hunter now leads the school located in Ormond Beach Florida 1 Death EditHarry Wendelstedt died at the age of 73 on March 9 2012 after suffering from brain cancer for several years 2 3 4 See also Edit Baseball portalList of Major League Baseball umpiresReferences Edit Harry Wendelstedt Umpire School Program History Archived 2013 12 03 at the Wayback Machine Harry Wendelstedt Umpire School Kernan Sean Ormond s Harry Wendelstedt Major League Baseball umpire dead at 73 Breaking News News journalonline com Archived from the original on 2012 09 10 Retrieved 2012 03 09 Longtime umpire Harry Wendelstedt dies at 73 MLB com Longtime umpire Harry Wendelstedt dies Sports IllustratedExternal links EditRetrosheet Harry Wendelstedt School for Umpires BaseballLibrary list of articles Legacy com obituary Harry Wendelstedt at Find a Grave The Sporting News umpire card Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Harry Wendelstedt amp oldid 1109565966, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
