Baltimore Orioles: Veteran umpire passes away
On behalf of Birds Watcher and the Fansided Network, I’d like to extend my deepest of condolences to the family of major league umpire Wally Bell. After working the Pirates/Cardinals ALDS series last week, Bell apparently suffered a heart attack in a hospital in his home town of Youngstown, OH. While Bell is certainly not a member of the Baltimore Orioles’ community, he he a part of the MLB family which unites as one in situations as such. Bell had been an umpire in the big leagues since 1992 when he broke in at age 27. He worked one world series (2006), three LCS’ (2000, 2001, 2005), and three LDS’ (1998, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2013). Bell is survived by two teenage children.
MLB executive vice-president of operations, Joe Torre, released the following statement last
Courtesy of Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
night:
“I am deeply saddened and shocked at the loss of Umpire Wally Bell. Umpiring was his life, and he touched so many people within the game of baseball. Aside from being an accomplished, All-Star-caliber umpire, Wally was a loving dad to his two teenage children. I extend my deepest condolences to them, his girlfriend Renee, the rest of his family and his admirers across Major League Baseball.”
We also heard from commissioner Bud Selig on this matter last night, who said the following:
“All of us at Major League Baseball are in mourning tonight regarding the sudden passing of Wally Bell. I always enjoyed seeing Wally, who was a terrific umpire and such an impressive young man. On behalf of our 30 Clubs, I extend my deepest condolences to Wally’s family, fellow Umpires and his many friends throughout the game.”