MLB Umpire Ed Hickox Retires From 28-Year Career

28-year MLB umpire Ed Hickox has retired from on-field officiating after 28 years of baseball in the American and unified major leagues, capping a career interrupted by a 5 years away from the game due to labor dispute and litigation related to injuries sustained on the field.

Hickox's big league career began with a 1990 AL debut and he was one of the 22 AL and NL umpires whose resignations were accepted during an ill-fated bargaining strategy when MLB sought to consolidate umpiring staffs. Hickox returned to the minor leagues as a brand-new Wendelstedt Umpire School recruit in 2002, working his way up the chain until reaching the now-unified MLB staff in 2005.

Litigation of a different variety struck Hickox after returning to the big league staff when he suffered concussion and ear injuries in 2005 and again in 2009, filing a lawsuit again Wilson Sporting Goods, whom Hickox alleged had given him a defective helmet he wore when he suffered the injuries.

A District of Columbia Superior Court jury ordered Wilson pay Hickox $775,000 for damages (this award was ultimately appealed and affirmed).

In addition to full-time major league umpiring, Hickox worked part-time as a Daytona Beach Shores detective.

Hickox retires after 28 years and 2,707 major league games, alongside 5 Division Series and 36 ejections.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 124-125 - Hickox, Carapazza (NYY x2)

HP Umpire Ed Hickox ejected Yankees manager Aaron Boone (strike one call; QOCN) and 3B Umpire Vic Carapazza ejected Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake (strike three call; QOCN) in the top of the 5th inning of the #Yankees-#Cardinals game. With two out and two on (R2, R3), Yankees batter Matt Carpenter took a 1-0 curveball from Cardinals pitcher Chris Stratton for a called first strike, resulting in Boone's ejection. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the outer edge of home plate and waist-high (px -1.22, pz 2.84), the call was incorrect. Carpenter then took a 2-2 fastball from Stratton for a called third strike, resulting in Blake's ejection. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the outer edge of home plate and thigh-high (px -0.99, pz 2.16), the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejections, the game was tied, 6-6. The Cardinals ultimately won the contest, 12-9.

This is Ed Hickox (15)'s 1st ejection of 2022.

This is Vic Carapazza (19)'s 3rd ejection of 2022.

Ed Hickox now has -2 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Previous + 2 MLB - 4 Incorrect Call = -2).

Vic Carapazza now has 0 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Prev + 2 MLB - 2 Incorrect-Crewmate = 0).
Crew Chief Jerry Meals now has 0 points in Crew Division (0 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 0).

*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.

The 1-0 pitch was located 3.67 horizontal inches from being deemed correct.

The 2-2 pitch was located 0.91 horizontal inches from being deemed correct.

These are the 124th ejection reports of the 2022 MLB regular season.

This is the 68th manager ejection of 2022.

This is New York's 9/10th ejection of 2022, 1st in the AL East (NYY 10; TOR 8; BAL, BOS 4; TB 3).

This is Aaron Boone's 6th ejection of 2022, 1st since July 15 (DJ Reyburn; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Matt Blake's 2nd ejection of 2022, 1st since May 22 (Greg Gibson; QOC = N [Fair/Foul]).

This is Ed Hickox's 1st ejection since July 22, 2021 (Dave Roberts; QOC = N [Check Swing]).

This is Vic Carapazza's 3rd ejection of 2022, 1st since June 5 (Ryan Pressly; QOC = U [Warnings]).

Wrap: New York Yankees vs St Louis Cardinals, 8/7/22 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 106 - Ed Hickox (1; Dave Roberts)

1B Umpire Ed Hickox ejected Dodgers manager Dave Roberts (check swing ball four call) in the top of the 9th inning of the #Giants-#Dodgers game. With two out and the bases loaded, Giants batter Darin Ruf attempted to check his swing on a 3-2 cutter from Dodgers pitcher Kenley Jansen, ruled a ball by HP Umpire Jansen Visconti and as a taken pitch (no swing) on appeal by 1B Umpire Hickox. Play was reviewed and adjudicated by the UEFL Appeals Board (0-8), the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 3-3. The Giants ultimately won the contest, 5-3.

This is Ed Hickox (15)'s 1st ejection of 2021.

Ed Hickox now has 9 points in the UEFL Standings (11 Prev + 2 MLB - 4 Incorrect Call = 9).

Crew Chief Jerry Meals now has 5 points in Crew Division (5 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 5).

This is the 106th ejection report of the 2021 MLB regular season.

This is the 53rd manager ejection of 2021.

This is Los Angeles' 3rd ejection of 2021, T-2nd in the NL West (SD 9; ARI, LAD 3; COL, SF 2).

This is Dave Roberts' 3rd ejection of 2021, 1st since July 21 (Andy Fletcher; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Ed Hickox's 1st ejection since August 7, 2018 (Ryan Tepera; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: San Francisco Giants vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 7/22/21 | Video as follows:

Ed Hickox's Offseason Charity & Angel Flight

MLB umpire Ed Hickox began his offseason in a familiar scene, aboard his Grumman Traveler fixed-wing aircraft. Captain Hickox, who holds a pilot's license, has been flying charity missions for Angel Flight since 2009 and flew to Panama City to help Hurricane Michael survivors in the Florida panhandle.

The part-time seasonal (or, rather "off-seasonal") detective for the Daytona Beach Shores Police Department sure keeps busy after baseball season ends. Explained Hickox to the Daytona Beach News-Journal, "I can't stay still, I guess. I get satisfaction out of being a public servant, helping people in need."

Hickox continued by explaining that the unique schedule of a major league umpire allows him to give back to the community during the winter months, which is why he started flying Angel Flight missions a decade ago:

"In the offseason, when I have the time and the opportunity, I take a mission. I try to do at least one every offseason. Very seldom is it for relief work. Mainly it’s to help people who are sick and can’t afford to go long-distance for treatment plans. If you love flying, what better way to fly than to help someone in need? It’s a nice thing to be able to do, and I’m just fortunate to be able to do it."

Hickox unloads supplies to relief volunteers.
Photos provided to Daytona Beach NJ.

This time around, Hickox flew a 500-pound load of supplies including food and water, diapers, and medicine to Panama City, where he and several other airplanes unloaded their cargo to waiting Hurricane Michael relief personnel. In 2010, for instance, Hickox flew to Haiti after an earthquake devastated that island.

Hickox graduated from the Harry Wendelstedt school and worked his first American League game in 1990. The Florida native was one of 22 umpires to lose his job in 1999, and one of three (the others being Bob Davidson and Tom Hallion) to work his way back through the minor leagues, regaining MLB status in 2005.
Related Post: WUA Rebrands as MLB Umpires Launch MLBUA (8/13/18).
Related Post: Plate Meeting Podcast Episode 1 - Bob Davidson (7/17/18).

Hickox is likely better known for his character and, coincidentally enough, his law enforcement job, rather than his on-field disciplinary enforcement. Hickox had one ejection in 2018 after a four-year drought (2014).
Related Post: MLB Ejection 111 - Ed Hickox (1; Ryan Tepera) (8/7/18).

MLB Ejection 111 - Ed Hickox (1; Ryan Tepera)

HP Umpire Ed Hickox ejected Blue Jays pitcher Ryan Tepera (balls/strikes; QOCN) in the top of the 8th inning of the Red Sox-Blue Jays game. With none out and none on, Tepera struck out Red Sox batter Brock Holt, surrendered a double to Sandy Leon, walked Mookie Betts, gave up a single to Andrew Benintendi, induced a ground ball force out from Mitch Moreland, gave up a home run to JD Martinez, and secured a groundout from Xander Bogaerts. Replays indicate of the 11 callable pitches during the half inning preceding Tepera's ejection, Hickox correctly officiated 10 of them (10/11 = 91% accuracy) and the incorrectly officiated pitch was the 0-0 pitch to Martinez; by rule, given Hickox's overall inning performance and the timing of the sole miss, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Red Sox were leading, 5-3. The Red Sox ultimately won the contest, 10-7, in 10 innings.

This is Ed Hickox (15)'s first ejection of 2018.
Ed Hickox now has 8 points in the UEFL Standings (4 Prev + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 8).
Crew Chief Jerry Meals now has 4 points in Crew Division (3 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 4).
*UEFL Rules 6-5-c-5-d and 6-5-d govern this QOC. A 0-0 pitch improperly ruled a ball does not satisfy the "realistically resulted in a different outcome" criterion of 6-5-c-5-d and an accuracy rating of 91% exceeds the benchmark established in 6-5-d. Thus, this is a QOCY ejection.

This is the 111th ejection report of the 2018 MLB regular season.
This is the 53rd player ejection of 2018. Prior to ejection, Tepera's line was 1.0 IP, 4 ER, HR.
This is Toronto's 7th ejection of 2018, T-1st in the AL East (NYY, TOR 7; BAL, BOS 3; TB 1).
This is Ryan Tepera's first career MLB ejection.
This is Ed Hickox's first ejection since June 8, 2014 (Clint Hurdle; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Boston Red Sox vs. Toronto Blue Jays, 8/7/18 | Video as follows:

Injury Scout - Hickox Out After Line Drive to Foot

Struck in the foot by a line drive while umpiring at second base, Ed Hickox was out of the lineup Wednesday in San Francisco.

Ed Hickox calls umpire interference.

With two out and two on (R2, R3) during Tuesday night's Pirates-Giants game, Giants batter Buster Posey hit a line drive up the middle and toward 2B Umpire Hickox, who stood in the Deep B (really deep) umpire's position. In attempting to avoid the batted ball, Hickox inadvertently stepped into the baseball with his left foot, kicking it to shortstop, before coming down awkwardly on his left leg. Remarked Giants broadcaster Mike Krukow, "the way he came down on his knee, I'm concerned about it."

Hickox and crew then enforced Umpire Interference Rule 5.05(b)(4) ("The batter becomes a runner and is entitled to first base without liability to be put out [when]—A fair ball touches an umpire or a runner on fair territory before touching a fielder. If a fair ball touches an umpire after having passed a fielder other than the pitcher, or having touched a fielder, including the pitcher, the ball is in play"), placing Posey at first base while sending baserunners R2 and R3 back to second and third base, respectively.
Related Post: Rules 2.00 & 6.01(f): Umpire Interference (7/5/12).

Triple-A call-up Shane Livensparger replaced Hickox for Wednesday's game at AT&T Park.

Relevant Injury History: Though Hickox has sustained concussions, there are no lower body injuries on file.

Last Game: July 25, 2017 | Return to Play: 2018 | Total Time Absent: Rest of Season | Video as follows:

MLB Instant Replay Reviews 1254-1263: Sept 26, 2014

September 26, 2014 featured the following MLB Instant Replay Review decisions:

Type

R#

Pos

Umpire

RU#

Team

RT#

Name

Inn

Pre

Result

R	1254	2B	Hickox, Ed	16	DET	42	Brad Ausmus	8	Safe	Overturned
R	1255	2B	Byrne, Jon	2	HOU	39	Tom Lawless	2	Out	Overturned
R	1256	2B	Vanover, Larry	21	NYY	33	Joe Girardi	1	Safe	Overturned
R	1257	HP	May, Ben	2	MIL	32	Ron Roenicke	6	Foul	Overturned
R	1258	2B	Barrett, Ted	20	CWS	43	Robin Ventura	4	Safe	Overturned
R	1259	1B	Davidson, Bob	21	ARI	44	Alan Trammell	8	Safe	Stands
R	1260	2B	Baker, Jordan	12	STL	39	Mike Matheny	10	Out	Confirmed
R	1261	2B	Johnson, Adrian	22	SEA	45	Lloyd McClendon	1	Out	Overturned
R	1262	1B	Miller, Bill	16	LAA	47	Mike Scioscia	6	Foul	Stands
R	1263	HP	Reynolds, Jim	21	COL	41	Walt Weiss	7	Out	Stands

MLB Instant Replay Review Videos (MLB Advanced Media):
Video 1254: MIN@DET: Tigers challenge safe call at first in 8th, overturned U2 Hickox
Video 1255: HOU@NYM: Astros win challenge of out call in the 2nd U2 Byrne
Video 1256: NYY@BOS: Yankees challenge safe call at second in 1st, overturned U2 Vanover
Video 1257: CHC@MIL: Brewers challenge foul call in 6th, overturned PU May
Video 1258: KC@CWS: The White Sox challenge a tag play in the 4th, overturned U2 Barrett, T
Video 1259: STL@ARI: D-backs challenge call on pickoff try in 8th, stands U1 Davidson
Video 1260: STL@ARI: Cards challenge out call at second in 10th, confirmed U2 Baker
Video 1261: LAA@SEA: Mariners challenge out call at second in 1st, overturned U2 Johnson
Video 1262: LAA@SEA: Angels claim fan interference on foul in 6th, stands U1 Miller
Video 1263: COL@LAD: Rockies challenge out at plate in 7th, stands PU Reynolds

MLB Instant Replay Reviews 1186-1191: Sept 16, 2014

September 16, 2014 featured the following MLB Instant Replay Review decision:

Type

R#

Pos

Umpire

RU#

Team

RT#

Name

Inn

Pre

Result

R	1186	3B	Foster, Marty	14	TB	56	Joe Maddon	6	Out	Overturned
R	1187	2B	Hickox, Ed	15	ATL	36	Fredi Gonzalez	8	Safe	Overturned
R	1188	2B	Miller, Bill	13	CHC	57	Rick Renteria	4	Safe	Overturned
R	1189	2B	Nelson, Jeff	14	CWS	39	Robin Ventura	2	Out	Confirmed
r	1190	HP	Reyburn, DJ	23	LAD	44	Don Mattingly	6	Out	Confirmed
R	1191	1B	Meals, Jerry	15	LAA	43	Mike Scioscia	5	Safe	Overturned

MLB Instant Replay Review Videos (MLB Advanced Media):
Video 1186: NYY@TB: Out call at third is overturned in the 6th
Video 1187: WSH@ATL: Safe call at second overturned in the 8th
Video 1188: CIN@CHC: Safe call at second overturned in 4th
Video 1189: CWS@KC: Out call on Viciedo confirmed in 2nd inning
Video 1190: LAD@COL: Review confirms out at home in the 6th
Video 1191: SEA@LAA: Safe call at first is overturned in the 5th

MLB Instant Replay Reviews 1163-1172: Sept 13, 2014

September 13, 2014 featured the following MLB Instant Replay Review decisions:

Type

R#

Pos

Umpire

RU#

Team

RT#

Name

Inn

Pre

Result

R	1163	1B	Hickox, Ed	14	BAL	34	Buck Showalter	1	Safe	Overturned
R	1164	3B	Vanover, Larry	17	MIN	37	Ron Gardenhire	7	Fair	Confirmed
R	1165	2B	Barrett, Ted	16	PIT	43	Clint Hurdle	7	Safe	Stands
R	1166	2B	Foster, Marty	12	PHI	37	Ryne Sandberg	3	Safe	Overturned
R	1167	1B	Layne, Jerry	14	DET	40	Brad Ausmus	8	Safe	Overturned
R	1168	1B	Nelson, Jeff	12	STL	34	Mike Matheny	9	Safe	Stands
r	1169	1B	Nelson, Jeff	13	STL	35	Mike Matheny	9	2B	Confirmed
r	1170	2B	Kellogg, Jeff	10	SD	36	Bud Black	6	Not HR	Stands
R	1171	1B	Eddings, Doug	19	LAD	42	Don Mattingly	6	Out	Overturned
R	1172	2B	Gorman, Brian	12	SEA	40	Lloyd McClendon	9	Safe	Overturned

MLB Instant Replay Review Videos (MLB Advanced Media):
Video 1163: NYY@BAL: Orioles challenge safe, overturned in 1st
Video 1164: MIN@CWS: Twins challenge fair ball, confirmed in 7th
Video 1165: CHC@PIT: Safe call at second stands in 7th
Video 1166: MIA@PHI: Safe call at second overturned in 3rd inning
Video 1167: CLE@DET: Safe call at first overturned in 8th inning
Video 1168: COL@STL: Safe call stands at first in the 9th
Video 1169: COL@STL: Umpires confirm McKenry's double in the 9th
Video 1170: SD@ARI: Umpires review triple in 6th, call stands
Video 1171: LAD@SF: Out call at first overturned in 6th inning
Video 1172: OAK@SEA: Safe call overturned at second in 9th

MLB Instant Replay Reviews 1134-1143: Sept 9, 2014

September 9, 2014 featured the following MLB Instant Replay Review decisions:

Type

R#

Pos

Umpire

RU#

Team

RT#

Name

Inn

Pre

Result

R	1134	2B	Drake, Rob	12	ATL	34	Fredi Gonzalez	1	Safe	Stands
r	1135	2B	Hickox, Ed	13	PHI	35	Ryne Sandberg	5	HR	Overturned
r	1136	HP	Carapazza, Vic	17	NYY	31	Joe Girardi	5	Out	Confirmed
R	1137	1B	Hoye, James	11	DET	39	Brad Ausmus	6	Out	Stands
R	1138	2B	Eddings, Doug	17	TEX	44	Tim Bogar	8	Safe	Stands
R	1139	1B	Bellino, Dan	14	MIA	33	Mike Redmond	7	Out	Overturned
R	1140	1B	Wolcott, Quinn	19	CWS	37	Robin Ventura	1	Safe	Overturned
R	1141	1B	Wolcott, Quinn	20	OAK	38	Bob Melvin	8	Out	Overturned
r	1142	1B	Hoberg, Pat	17	HOU	34	Tom Lawless	4	Not HR	Confirmed
R	1143	1B	Hoberg, Pat	18	SEA	39	Lloyd McClendon	6	Safe	Overturned

MLB Instant Replay Review Videos (MLB Advanced Media):
Video 1134: ATL@WSH: Safe call at second stands in 1st inning
Video 1135: PIT@PHI: Marte's homer overturned for double in 5th
Video 1136: TB@NYY: Umps confirm no violation of 7.13 in 5th
Video 1137: KC@DET: Out call at first stands after review in 6th
Video 1138: LAA@TEX: Safe call at second stands in 8th inning
Video 1139: MIA@MIL: Out call overturned at first in 7th
Video 1140: OAK@CWS: Safe call at first overturned for out in 1st
Video 1141: OAK@CWS: Out call at first overturned in 8th inning
Video 1142: HOU@SEA: Umps confirm double call in 4th inning
Video 1143: HOU@SEA: Safe call at first overturned in 6th