Laurence Henry "Dutch" Rennert Jr. (June 12, 1930 – June 17, 2018) was an American umpire in Major League Baseball who worked in the National League from 1973 to 1992.
Dutch Rennert | |
|---|---|
 Rennert making his distinctive strike call | |
| Born | June 12, 1930 Oshkosh, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Died | June 17, 2018 (aged 88) St. Augustine, Florida, U.S. |
| Occupation | MLB umpire |
| Years active | 1973–1992 |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
Early years
editRennert was born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin and graduated from Oshkosh High School. He played semi-pro football with the Oshkosh Comets and semi-pro baseball in Oshkosh. Rennert moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, worked for the post office, and officiated at basketball games. In 1958, Rennert graduated from the Al Somers Umpire School in Daytona Beach, Florida.[1]
Umpiring career
editConsidered one of the game's most colorful characters,[by whom?] best known for his animated and loud strike calls;[2] similar to the NFL's colorful referee Red Cashion. A 1983 poll by The New York Times resulted in his selection as the NL's best umpire.[3] He wore uniform number 16 throughout his career.
Reaching the major leagues after umpiring in the Pacific Coast League from 1965 to 1973, Rennert umpired in six National League Championship Series (1977, 1981, 1982, 1986, 1988, 1990), two All-Star Games (1979, 1984), and three World Series (1980, 1983, 1989); he was behind the plate when the Oakland Athletics won the 1989 World Series.
On called strikes to right-handed hitters, Rennert's style was to turn and face in the direction of the first-base dugout, raise his right hand and call "Strike!", take an exaggerated step forward with his left foot (keeping his right planted), and drop to his right knee as he pointed in that direction and called "one!" (or however many strikes there were, even on a called third strike). For left-handed hitters, he wouldn't step forward; he would squat to his right knee as he made the call.
After retiring, Rennert headed a group of instructors who held baseball clinics in Paris and Munich in January 1993.[4] Thereafter, he participated regularly in the Los Angeles Dodgers' Adult Baseball Camp.
In an April 20, 2012, interview on Comcast Sportsnet Philadelphia, former National League President Bill White told local TV personality Larry Kane that an eye exam revealed that Rennert could not see out of his left eye and it couldn't be adjusted with glasses, and "I retired him nicely." White went on to say that he later saw Rennert in Vero Beach, Florida, and White said Rennert told him he had done the right thing.
On September 26, 2015, umpire Tom Hallion paid tribute to Rennert (who was in attendance) by calling the first strike in the game between the Miami Marlins and the Atlanta Braves using Rennert's classic strike mechanic.[5]
Notable games
editRennert was the home plate umpire on August 3, 1989, when the Cincinnati Reds set a major league record with 16 hits in the first inning of an 18–2 home victory over the Houston Astros.[6] Rennert was the first base umpire who ejected Cincinnati manager Lou Piniella on August 21, 1990, causing Piniella to pull the first base bag from its mooring and fling it into right field twice.[7][8]
Death
editRennert died on June 17, 2018, at the age of 88 in St. Augustine, Florida.[9][10]
See also
edit
Further reading
edit- "Former NL Umpire Dutch Rennert Passes Away at 88". closecallsports.com. June 18, 2018. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
- Dodgers Adult Baseball Camp personnel bio
- Ump With Big Voice Still Dutch Treat[permanent dead link]
- Dutch Rennert on perfect game ump: 'play wasn't that close'[permanent dead link]
References
edit- ^ Lawrence H. "Dutch Rennert-obituary[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Dodgers Adult Baseball Camp: Dutch Rennert". Archived from the original on July 13, 2011. Retrieved August 13, 2010.
- ^ "Dutch Rennert". Retrieved August 13, 2010.
- ^ "Baseball Clinics Set for Europe". The New York Times. January 15, 1993. Archived from the original on September 5, 2012. Retrieved August 13, 2010.
- ^ "Dutch Rennert Interview, Tom Hallion tribute in Miami". Retrieved September 27, 2015.
- ^ Dittmar, Joseph J. (1990). Baseball's Benchmark Boxscores. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Co. pp. 202–204. ISBN 0-89950-488-4.
- ^ "Lou Piniella Retires". August 23, 2010. Retrieved December 21, 2011.
- ^ "Cincinnati Reds 8, Chicago Cubs 1". Retrosheet. August 21, 1990. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
- ^ "Former National League umpire Dutch Rennert dies at 88". apnews.com. AP. June 19, 2018.
- ^ "Former National League umpire Dutch Rennert dies at 88". USA TODAY. Retrieved June 19, 2018.