[MLB] Terry Cooney 1933 - 2022

[FredFan7]

kmph.com/news/local/clovis-resident-and-former-american-league-umpire-terry-cooney-passes-away

He was an AL umpire from 1974 until a knee injury forced him to retire in 1992.

He was the umpire who was at home plate during the Fisk-Pinella fight. And he was the home plate umpire who threw out Roger Clemens after the pitcher cussed him out during the 1990 ALCS.

[lefty17]

He was one of the last AL umpires to start in the Majors with an outside chest protector. He eventually switched to an inside one.

[FredFan7]

He wore it at least until 1981 as he worked the plate in the world Series with the balloon that year. Jerry Neudecker was the final umpire to wear the balloon, retiring in 1985.

And, in 1981 he had a pretty violent argument with Billy Martin. Martin came flying out of the dugout and ran into Cooney at almost full speed. He kick dirt and then scooped up dirt and threw it at Cooney. Martin got a three game suspension.