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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