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Hirschbeck set for 34th season
Umpire from Poland says rule change about slides at second being considered
By Greg Gulas
BEAVER TOWNSHIP
As Major League Baseball teams get set to report for spring training, Poland’s John Hirschbeck is anxiously eyeing his 34th season as a big league arbiter.
Hirschbeck will enter the upcoming season as MLB’s second longest-tenured umpire, trailing only Joe West who will begin his 40th major league season.
He’s a veteran of four World Series, five league League Championship Series, nine Division Series, three All-Star Games and last year’s National League Wild Card game between the Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates.
Hirschbeck said that his batteries are fully recharged and he is ready for the games to begin.
Speaking to the Curbstone Coaches on Monday, Hirschbeck said the upcoming season should generate plenty of excitement.
“Nothing is etched in stone just yet, but there are several rules that will be addressed prior to the start of spring training,” Hirschbeck said. “Two years ago, the collision at home plate was looked at.
“This year, a possible rule change at second base in order to protect middle infielders will be looked at as well.”
Hirschbeck’s family spent the offseason building a new home. An avid outdoorsman who enjoys golf and hunting, he called the last four months a fun time just to be home despite the fact he went “deerless.”
“It was a very busy offseason for many reasons, but it sure was great to be home,” Hirschbeck said. “All of the travel during the season only gives you a greater appreciation for your wife, children and home.”
Hirschbeck’s spring training hub is Sarasota, Fla., where he will work Baltimore Orioles games, as well as Pittsburgh Pirates contests in Bradenton and Tampa Bay Rays games in Port Charlotte.
He addressed the replay debate and its place at the big league level.
“Baseball is an imperfect game played by imperfect people, that’s why there’s an error column,” Hirschbeck said. “I’m old school, used to the old way and just like baseball that way.
“That being said, I know that in other sports people want perfection and replay has definitely helped in that area. I really am glad to have experienced it at the end of my career, and to have worked the booth in New York as well.”
A native of Bridgeport, Conn., Hirschbeck is a graduate of Al Somers’ Umpiring School. His wife, Denise, is a Poland native.
Hirschbeck recalled that 40 years ago he was training in Daytona Beach, Fla., but took time out to join his brothers for Super Bowl X in Miami when the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Dallas Cowboys, 21-17.
“My brother, Vinny, caught the ball after a Roy Gerela field goal and there was a mad dash by everyone trying to get to it,” Hirschbeck said. “I jumped on top of my brother to shield him while he was protecting the ball and I think I got hit harder than either Terry Bradshaw or Roger Staubach did during the game.”
Hirschbeck was behind the plate on Aug. 7, 2007 when Barry Bonds hit his 756th round-tripper to pass Hank Aaron on the all-time home run list. He also worked the plate on Oct. 6, 2011 when Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay threw MLB’s second postseason no-hitter against Cincinnati.