Watch Burnham

George Walter "Watch" Burnham (May 20, 1860 – November 18, 1902) was an American umpire and manager in Major League Baseball who was briefly in the National League in the 1880s. He was born in Albion, Michigan.[1]

Watch Burnham
Manager/Umpire
Born: (1860-05-20)May 20, 1860
Albion, Michigan
Died: November 18, 1902(1902-11-18) (aged 42)
Detroit, Michigan
Batted: Unknown Threw: Unknown
MLB debut
April 28, 1887, for the Indianapolis Hoosiers
Last MLB appearance
May 30, 1887, for the Indianapolis Hoosiers
MLB statistics
Games Managed28
Win-Loss Record6-22
Winning %.214
Teams
Career highlights and awards
  • Umpired in 5 Major League seasons.
  • Called one no-hitter, on July 5, 1883.

Umpiring career

Burnham began his major league officiating career in 1883 when he called 41 National League games.[1] On July 25 of that season, he called balls and strikes for a no-hitter thrown by "Old Hoss" Radbourn of the Providence Grays.[2]

His next appearances as an umpire were single games in 1886 and another in 1887, but he returned to part-time officiating when he called 33 games in 1889, and 31 games in 1895. In all, Watch umpired 107 games, 99 of which were behind the plate.[1]

Managerial career

Burnhan began the 1887 season as the manager of an upstart National League team, the Indianapolis Hoosiers. However, after a very slow start, the team had a 6–22 record, and was in last place; he was fired on June 2. Fred Thomas took over as interim manager in addition to his front office duties.[3]

Later life

Watch Burnham died at the age of 42 in Detroit, Michigan, and is interred at Oakwood Cemetery in Saline, Michigan.[1]

References
  1. "Watch Burnham's Stats". retrosheet.org. Retrieved 2008-04-01.
  2. "Chronological List of No-Hitters". retrosheet.org. Retrieved 2008-04-01.
  3. "Charlton's Baseball Chronology - 1887". baseballlibrary.com. Retrieved 2008-04-01.
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