Opening Day is always an
exciting time. There is a feeling of anticipation, a feeling of expectation, a
relief that winter is over and a chance to start anew. But on Opening Day in
Cincinnati’s Riverfront Stadium on April 1st, 1996, it was a day of tragedy,
sadness and loss. The aftermath in the days that followed would lead to anger
for many fans.
The sun was shining bright for
an afternoon game between the Reds and the Montreal Expos. John McSherry, was
about to begin his 26th season as an umpire in the National League
having begun his career in 1971. In the top of the first, seven pitches into
the season, McSherry (working the plate) called timeout, said something to
Reds’ catcher Eddie Taubensee and started walking towards the umpires’ gate behind
home plate. He motioned for the second base umpire to replace him. Within
seconds of that gesture, he collapsed about ten feet away from the gate,
suffering a massive heart attack.
Grounds crew and training staff
from both teams rushed to the fallen umpire and resuscitative efforts were
begun on McSherry. He was taken to University Hospital in Cincinnati and was
pronounced dead within the hour. He was 51. Video from the game showed the
players and coaches, both Reds and Expos, visibly upset at the events that had
taken place. The two remaining umpires, Steve Rippley and Jerry Crawford (the
fourth umpire, Tom Hallion had gone to the hospital with McSherry) were in such
a shaken state that it was decided the game would be postponed.
A rather heartless gesture by
Sports Illustrated was publishing a photo in the following week’s edition that
showed McSherry, moments after he hit the ground with his face contorted and
his tongue sticking out, appearing like he was gasping for breath. A lot of
readers found the publishing of that picture very inappropriate.
Many wrote letters condemning SI for such poor judgement in running a photo of
the last seconds of a man’s life.
Even worse was the reaction by
Reds’ owner Marge Schott, who was quoted as saying, “Snow this morning and now
this. I don't believe it. I feel cheated. This isn't supposed to happen to us,
not in Cincinnati. This is our history, our tradition, our team.” She then sent
flowers as a gesture of sympathy to the umpires’ locker room, but a story
reported by the Dayton Daily News stated that the flowers were re-gifted.
Schott had received them from Cincinnati television station WLWT as an opening
day gift. According to the story from the Daily News, Schott tore off the card
on the flowers and quickly wrote one of sympathy and attached it.
But for all the sorrow and controversy
surrounding McSherry’s death, the umpire had a very good career and that’s what
he should be remembered for. He was well-respected by managers and players
alike. His number 10 was retired by Major League Baseball and no umpire has
worn it since 1996. He officiated in the 1977 and 1987 World Series. He worked
the National League Championship Series in 1974, 1978, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1988
and 1992. He also umpired in three All-Star Games including the only two games
the All-Star festivities were held in Canada: 1982 in Montreal and 1991 in
Toronto. (The other game was 1975).
McSherry struggled with weight
problems. Although he was listed at 328 pounds by Major League Baseball, some
sources claimed he was closer to 400 pounds. It is possible his weight played a
factor in his heart attack. It was later revealed that he had been diagnosed
with a cardiac arrhythmia and was scheduled for a doctor’s appointment on April
2nd.
To show how respected he was as
an umpire, the New York Mets honoured his memory by having “J.M. N.L. Umpire
10” embroidered on their right sleeves for the remainder of the 1996 season.
The Reds dedicated the umpire’s room in Riverfront Stadium to him.
So while everyone gets excited
about Opening Day—and with good reason—it’s also a time to take a step back and
remember the tragic day in Cincinnati that happened 20 years ago. It’s a time
to remember and salute John McSherry, a man who gave much to the game he loved
for 26 years.
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