Finally, the Hall of Fame for Doug Harvey
At the age of 13 I got a great job — ballboy for the Portland Beavers in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League.
As part of that job, I used to have to bring a few dozen new baseballs, still in the box, to the umpires’ room a couple of hours before the games. In the old days, the team clubhouses and umpires’ room were located in the Multnomah Athletic Club, beyond the right-field fence in what was then Multnomah Stadium. The umps’ room, in fact, was high up in the club — an elevator ride.
Anyway, I’d take the balls up there where the umpires could rub them down, then make sure during the game that the home-plate umpire had his pocketful of baseballs. Then, after the game, I’d usually run some soft drinks or beer up to their room.
I loved the job and got to know the umpires a little. They were a very nice bunch of guys. But one of them stood high above the rest. Doug Harvey was just starting his umpiring career then, but already had that gray hair. But even then, as a minor-league umpire, he had that combination of dignity and confidence that would earn him the nickname “God” in the major leagues.
One day, after bringing a few cold ones to the umpires’ room, Harvey asked me, a 13-year-old, to “give me five.” Sorry, at that age, in those days before high fives, low fives and everything in between, I had no idea what he was talking about. He assured me it meant to shake his hand.
I stuck out my hand and shook his, during which he passed me a five-dollar bill. Man, these guys didn’t make much money and seldom tipped me in those days.
Doug Harvey had given me a $5 tip. And to this day I haven’t been able to forget how much class the man had and how generous he was with a kid.
As well as being the best umpire I ever watched, by far. And Monday came word that he’d been named, finally, to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Congratulations, Mr. Harvey! You were in a class by yourself.
Baseball | Dwight Jaynes | December 7, 2009
So made me curious, who if anyone will he come in with. searched a bit. Whitey Herzog.
Whitey was quoted as saying It is fitting, Harvey threw me out of more games than any other ump.
I wonder if Don Denkinger will be speaking at the induction? That would be fitting!
5 World Series including 1968. The Cardinals and Tigers. Bob Gibson. Mickey Lolich. He also worked the 1988 World Series when Kirk Gibson hit the dramatic home run.
Historic stuff.
This made me think about umpires and umpiring, and for some reason I flashed on Ron Luciano, someone I hadn’t thought about in probably 30 years. He was an umpire who wanted to be part of the game. He thought it was about him. I wondered whatever became of him, so I went looking, and learned that he committed suicide in 1995.
Dwight you bring back a lot of memories. We are the same age Dwight and I remember going the ball park and really envying you for having the bat boy job! Brings to mind Emmett Ashford who was an umpire in the PCL. I used to go down by the field before the game would start and try go get autographs. Emmett saw me and said, “son I’ll get you a few autographs.” He came back to me just before the start of the game and gave a PCL baseball with the Beavers autographs on it and another one with just a minor scuff and told me “here’s one to keep and one to play with.” What a class act! I never forgot that.
Great post Dwight, thanks. Just so you know I was pointed to this post by Rob Neyer.
Off subject a little, where can I find the latest on the Beavs stadium situation?
Thanks…Brian
Dear Dwight: I have passed by many a ballboy, but I tried not to “pass them by”. Kids are what the game is all about. I started out as a ballboy in El Centro, CA in the old Sunset League, so I have a relationship with all ballboys…I don’t forget them. God Bless You, and thanks for the nice article. Your friend, Doug