Hank Morgenweck
Encyclopedia
Henry Charles Morgenweck (April 9, 1929 - August 7, 2007) was an American
umpire
in Major League Baseball
who worked in the American League
from 1972 to 1975.
He made his major league debut officiating in the first game of the 1970 National League Championship Series
on October 3, when an umpires' strike forced the league to use minor league baseball
umpires for the first game of the series before the regular umpires returned for Game 2.
Morgenweck was behind the plate, calling balls and strikes, when Nolan Ryan
pitched a 1-0 no-hitter
at Anaheim Stadium against the Baltimore Orioles
on June 1, 1975. It was Ryan's fourth no-hitter, tying the record held by Sandy Koufax
. Morganweck was also the home plate umpire for Dick Bosman
's no-hitter on July 19, 1974
.
He was part of the umpiring crew in the 1975 American League Championship Series
, but was not re-signed by the American League after the season ended.
Morgenweck was a resident of Teaneck, New Jersey
. He died of cancer at age 78.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
umpire
Umpire (baseball)
In baseball, the umpire is the person charged with officiating the game, including beginning and ending the game, enforcing the rules of the game and the grounds, making judgment calls on plays, and handling the disciplinary actions. The term is often shortened to the colloquial form ump...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
who worked in the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
from 1972 to 1975.
He made his major league debut officiating in the first game of the 1970 National League Championship Series
1970 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 3, 1970 at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaCincinnati boasted dual heroes in subduing the Pirates in the opening game. Gary Nolan, an 18-game winner during the regular season, pitched nine shutout innings to edge Dock Ellis...
on October 3, when an umpires' strike forced the league to use minor league baseball
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
umpires for the first game of the series before the regular umpires returned for Game 2.
Morgenweck was behind the plate, calling balls and strikes, when Nolan Ryan
Nolan Ryan
Lynn Nolan Ryan, Jr. , nicknamed "The Ryan Express", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He is currently principal owner, president and CEO of the Texas Rangers....
pitched a 1-0 no-hitter
No-hitter
A no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
at Anaheim Stadium against the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
on June 1, 1975. It was Ryan's fourth no-hitter, tying the record held by Sandy Koufax
Sandy Koufax
Sanford "Sandy" Koufax is a former left-handed baseball pitcher who played his entire 12-year Major League Baseball career for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers...
. Morganweck was also the home plate umpire for Dick Bosman
Dick Bosman
Richard Allen Bosman is an American former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He pitched for the Washington Senators , Texas Rangers , Cleveland Indians and Oakland Athletics . Bosman started the final game for the expansion Senators and the first game for the Texas Rangers...
's no-hitter on July 19, 1974
1974 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*1974 World Series: Oakland Athletics over Los Angeles Dodgers ; Rollie Fingers, MVP*All-Star Game, July 23 at Three Rivers Stadium: National League, 7-2; Steve Garvey, MVP-Other champions:...
.
He was part of the umpiring crew in the 1975 American League Championship Series
1975 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 4, 1975 at Fenway Park in Boston, MassachusettsBoston Red Sox starter Luis Tiant allowed just one run on three hits to defeat the Oakland Athletics, 7–1, in the ALCS opener....
, but was not re-signed by the American League after the season ended.
Morgenweck was a resident of Teaneck, New Jersey
Teaneck, New Jersey
Teaneck is a township in Bergen County, New Jersey, and a suburb in the New York metropolitan area. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 39,776, making it the second-most populous among the 70 municipalities in Bergen County....
. He died of cancer at age 78.