George L. Magerkurth,76, colorful National League umpire for almost two decades, died in a Rock Island, Ill., hospital on Friday October 7,1966.
Magerkurth, who retired as an umpire after the 1947 season, entered St Anthony's hospital several weeks ago in failing health.
The brawny umpire frequently made headlines during his umpiring career which began in 1928.
Magerkurth was plate umpire when Babe Ruth hit his memorable home run in the 1932 World Series between the Chicago Cubs and the New York Yankees. Magerkurth always maintained that "The Babe" called the shot before hitting the homer.
Magerkurth was involved in numerous rhubarbs, the most famous of which involved manager Leo Durocherof the Brooklyn Dodgers.
His retired in 1948 after suffering several injuries on the job.
He fought 70 professional fights as a boxer.
He started out as a minor league catcher, getting trials in Hannibal. Rockford. and Duluth in 1907 and 1908. He played for the Kearney Kapitalists in 1910. After working in a factory job, he played football for the Rock Island Independents in 1920 and became a minor league umpire in 1920.
Magerkurth umped in the Mississippi Valley League in 1922 and the International League in 1923. He also worked in the American Association and the International League before moving up to the NL in 1929.
After leaving the NL, Magerkurth umped some college semi-pro games and was a baseball commentator for a Moline, Il. TV station.
Surviving is his widow, two sons, Robert of Beach Grove , Ind.,Charles of Moline, and three daughters, Mrs Louis Pardon of Moline, Mrs Lillie Nightengale of Rock Island, and Mrs George Ruby of Fort Thomas, Ga.
Saskatoon Star-Phoenix 10/8/1966
Magerkurth, who retired as an umpire after the 1947 season, entered St Anthony's hospital several weeks ago in failing health.
The brawny umpire frequently made headlines during his umpiring career which began in 1928.
Magerkurth was plate umpire when Babe Ruth hit his memorable home run in the 1932 World Series between the Chicago Cubs and the New York Yankees. Magerkurth always maintained that "The Babe" called the shot before hitting the homer.
Magerkurth was involved in numerous rhubarbs, the most famous of which involved manager Leo Durocherof the Brooklyn Dodgers.
His retired in 1948 after suffering several injuries on the job.
He fought 70 professional fights as a boxer.
He started out as a minor league catcher, getting trials in Hannibal. Rockford. and Duluth in 1907 and 1908. He played for the Kearney Kapitalists in 1910. After working in a factory job, he played football for the Rock Island Independents in 1920 and became a minor league umpire in 1920.
Magerkurth umped in the Mississippi Valley League in 1922 and the International League in 1923. He also worked in the American Association and the International League before moving up to the NL in 1929.
After leaving the NL, Magerkurth umped some college semi-pro games and was a baseball commentator for a Moline, Il. TV station.
Surviving is his widow, two sons, Robert of Beach Grove , Ind.,Charles of Moline, and three daughters, Mrs Louis Pardon of Moline, Mrs Lillie Nightengale of Rock Island, and Mrs George Ruby of Fort Thomas, Ga.
Saskatoon Star-Phoenix 10/8/1966
George L. Magerkurth,76, colorful National League umpire for almost two decades, died in a Rock Island, Ill., hospital on Friday October 7,1966.
Magerkurth, who retired as an umpire after the 1947 season, entered St Anthony's hospital several weeks ago in failing health.
The brawny umpire frequently made headlines during his umpiring career which began in 1928.
Magerkurth was plate umpire when Babe Ruth hit his memorable home run in the 1932 World Series between the Chicago Cubs and the New York Yankees. Magerkurth always maintained that "The Babe" called the shot before hitting the homer.
Magerkurth was involved in numerous rhubarbs, the most famous of which involved manager Leo Durocherof the Brooklyn Dodgers.
His retired in 1948 after suffering several injuries on the job.
He fought 70 professional fights as a boxer.
He started out as a minor league catcher, getting trials in Hannibal. Rockford. and Duluth in 1907 and 1908. He played for the Kearney Kapitalists in 1910. After working in a factory job, he played football for the Rock Island Independents in 1920 and became a minor league umpire in 1920.
Magerkurth umped in the Mississippi Valley League in 1922 and the International League in 1923. He also worked in the American Association and the International League before moving up to the NL in 1929.
After leaving the NL, Magerkurth umped some college semi-pro games and was a baseball commentator for a Moline, Il. TV station.
Surviving is his widow, two sons, Robert of Beach Grove , Ind.,Charles of Moline, and three daughters, Mrs Louis Pardon of Moline, Mrs Lillie Nightengale of Rock Island, and Mrs George Ruby of Fort Thomas, Ga.
Saskatoon Star-Phoenix 10/8/1966
Magerkurth, who retired as an umpire after the 1947 season, entered St Anthony's hospital several weeks ago in failing health.
The brawny umpire frequently made headlines during his umpiring career which began in 1928.
Magerkurth was plate umpire when Babe Ruth hit his memorable home run in the 1932 World Series between the Chicago Cubs and the New York Yankees. Magerkurth always maintained that "The Babe" called the shot before hitting the homer.
Magerkurth was involved in numerous rhubarbs, the most famous of which involved manager Leo Durocherof the Brooklyn Dodgers.
His retired in 1948 after suffering several injuries on the job.
He fought 70 professional fights as a boxer.
He started out as a minor league catcher, getting trials in Hannibal. Rockford. and Duluth in 1907 and 1908. He played for the Kearney Kapitalists in 1910. After working in a factory job, he played football for the Rock Island Independents in 1920 and became a minor league umpire in 1920.
Magerkurth umped in the Mississippi Valley League in 1922 and the International League in 1923. He also worked in the American Association and the International League before moving up to the NL in 1929.
After leaving the NL, Magerkurth umped some college semi-pro games and was a baseball commentator for a Moline, Il. TV station.
Surviving is his widow, two sons, Robert of Beach Grove , Ind.,Charles of Moline, and three daughters, Mrs Louis Pardon of Moline, Mrs Lillie Nightengale of Rock Island, and Mrs George Ruby of Fort Thomas, Ga.
Saskatoon Star-Phoenix 10/8/1966
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