Longtime MLB Ump Wally Bell Dies
Veteran umpire Wally Bell passed away in his Ohio hometown last night, apparently after suffering a heart attack. Bell, 48 years old, had 21 years of MLB experience and had most recently worked the Cardinals-Pirates NLDS.
Bell is the first active umpire to die since John McSherry collapsed on opening day in Cincinnati in 1996. A large man, Bell underwent a quintuple-bypass in 1999, and returned to the field 11 weeks later. He has since done charity work for the American Heart Association.
Bell worked one World Series, two All-Star Games, four League Championship Series, seven Division Series, and the 2013 World Baseball classic.
Here's his punch-out:
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