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Thursday, December 8, 2022

Jackpot Umpire Tom Hallion Retires After Lengthy Career

Longtime Major League umpire and Crew Chief Tom Hallion retires after an NL and MLB career spanning across five decades, hanging up his mask 37 years after first suiting up in the National back in 1985.

During his big league career, Hallion officiated more than 3600 regular season games, to go along with 78 postseason games—and two separate journeys through Minor League Baseball.

Like retired umpire Bob Davidson, Tom Hallion had to start over in the low minors after losing his National League umpiring job in 1999 as the result of a failed mass resignation negotiation strategy as umpires looked toward a new deal with professional baseball.

In 2003, Hallion began calling games in the Class A New York-Penn League, the same minor league Hallion began his professional umpiring journey with back in 1979.

Hallion, who was hired back to MLB in 2005 thanks to a bargaining agreement with the league the prior offseason, officiated a total of 10 Division Series (1996, 97, 2008, 12, 13, 14 16, 18, 19, 21), five League Championship Series (1998, 2007, 09, 10, 11), and two World Series (2008, 21).

Hallion initially said he planned to retire following the 2021 World Series, but came back to work one more season before calling it a career. He announced his 2022 retirement on a podcast. Hallion retires with 102 career NL and MLB ejections.

Video as follows:

Tuesday, December 6, 2022

Twins Retire Angels' Sierra on Failed Inside-the-Park HR Try

Minnesota's relay throw to retire Angels batter-runner Magneuris Sierra trying for an inside-the-park home run in Anaheim brought HP Umpire Dan Bellino into position to rule on several factors, such as the home plate collision/blocking rule as well as checking to see that Twins catcher Gary Sanchez's tag attempt was timely.

This call was ultimately confirmed via Replay Review.

Video as follows: