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Marty Springstead
Marty Springstead
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Marty Springstead Obituary
Major League Baseball said Wednesday that Springstead was found dead at his home in Florida on Tuesday night.
A native of Nyack, N.Y., Springstead was an American League umpire from 1966-85. Among his three World Series were 1978 and 1983, and he also was an umpire at the All-Star game in 1969, 1975 and 1982 and at five AL championship series.
After retiring from the field, he became the AL's executive director of umpires, then worked as an umpire supervisor for MLB after umpire staffs from the leagues merged.
He retired from his management position before the 2010 season.
"For a quarter-century, Marty mentored a new generation of our umpires, not only in the major leagues but around the world," Commissioner Bud Selig said. "Marty was an avid teacher, a great storyteller and a friend to countless people around our game. Like so many of my colleagues, I always appreciated his wonderful sense of humor and the pride he had for his profession."
Springstead worked U.S. Army baseball games while he was a minor league umpire and lectured on umpiring to the U.S. Air Force in Germany, the Netherlands and Spain. He was involved in clinics of Japan's Pacific League and in Canada.
MLB said he was survived by wife Linda, son Bradley and stepson Robert.
Copyright © 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
45 Entries
Jane Girling
January 17, 2023
11 years think of you often Cuz ❤
LMB
July 22, 2018
Time has gone on...this is my first chance to tell you what a kind and generous man I thought you were. I did not know you well although you were always kind and gracious to me and my twins. I was the first to see you dear son after he was born... thank you Marty for the time shared and the wonderful grasshoppers!!!!
Tonya Hunt
January 17, 2017
Marty Springstead Family my prayers and condolences is for family and friends may the God of comfort console you at this time Isaiah25:8
M
March 7, 2016
Hey Marty, There's always bigger crosses to bare. Thanks for being a great supervisor always loyal. I'll see you again one day.
How you can show support
JOHN HUGHES
February 24, 2016
BRAD IF YOU ARE IN PORTLAND OREGON PLEASE SEE ME AT RHE BENSON HOTEL I WAS A DOOR MAN I WOULD LIKE TO KEEP THE FRIENDSHIP GOING I KNOW IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY YOUR DAD HAD A BEAUTIFUL MIND AND A HUUUGGGE ❤ JOHNNY HUGHES
Johanne
January 17, 2016
John 17:3 'To have everlasting life we must learn to know God and whom he has sent Jesus Christ '. May the family and friends find comfort in these words
Harry Simpson
January 17, 2015
Rest Marty, until you hear at dawn,
the low, clear reveille of God.
Thank you for your service to this nation.
john hughes
April 3, 2014
marty i am a doorman at the benson hotel portland oregon you sir touched my heart and many others see you in heaven and we will play ball
john hughes your friend allways
Roy Gulak
January 18, 2014
I'm late with this, I grew up in Garnerville. We used to play ball behind his mothers house. I so him at Yankee Stadium a couple of times. The last time was in Baltimore Memorial Park. He was umping 3rd base. As always the true professional. Great umpire.
Kenny West
May 16, 2013
Marty you lived life to the fullest and left in your wake many friends and loved ones .
You were truly one of the good guys.
Kenny West
May 16, 2013
I met Marty when I owned a barber shop in Sarasota.
Marty would stop in for a cut whenever he was in town .
He was a really great guy and family man he took great pride in talking about his son who was a pilot at Alaskan Airlines .
I am glad that I got the chance to know him.
Gregg/Crystal
December 16, 2012
You're the best Marty
Sue M
August 29, 2012
My condolences to the Springstead family. I met Marty in the mid 70's when he needed a dentist in Kansas City! Such a nice guy, gave me 2 tickets to the game and made such a lasting impression. Some people are worth remembering!
Brenda Corley
June 23, 2012
Thirty six years ago, Marty gave my two-year old daughter a signed baseball for the 1975 World Series. I am giving it to my Grandson for his 10th Birthday and it will forever cherished. He wrote "Always Be a Good Sport" Marty Springstead. Our prayers are with his family and friends.
Rich G
January 28, 2012
To Brad and family, my deepest condolences on Marty's recent passing on. I enjoyed the time at the DP and was always inspired.
Aldo Bagnara
January 25, 2012
…….you were number 4 but number one in our hearts…..I consider my self a very lucky person knowing you………will miss you.
Elizabeth Mulcahy
January 23, 2012
So sorry to hear of Marty's passing. I will miss seeing him at Gecko's when I am in town and have to listen to him about why we moved to podunk. Say hi to your friend and my dad Jim when you get there. The world has lost another great person. RIP Marty
Elizabeth Mulcahy
Dennis DeWees
Gene Okerlund
January 22, 2012
Jan 22,2012 "The last 32 years knowing you from Minneapolis and Sarasota has been great. Especailly the last 15 years here in southwest Florida. I hit a home run talking to you virtually everyday. Great sense of humor and generosity second to none. We're missing a very good friend." Gene Okerlund
January 21, 2012
Marty, Monday night prayer meetings at the Crescent Club will not be the same without you.I am so glad to have spent some time with you on Monday.May you rest in peace. John & Betty O'Donoghue
RON PARTRIDGE
January 21, 2012
MY PRAYERS ARE WITH MARTY & FAMILY.MARTY WAS & STILL IS A GREAT PERSON LUV & PRAYERS RON PARTRIDGE CONGERS,N.Y.
Dick Runchey
January 21, 2012
A Baseball Umpire icon. It was an honor to get the opportunity to learn and work with Marty. The Lord has selected one of the best to join his League. Rest in Peace Marty.
January 20, 2012
Marty, knowing you made me a hero to my friends. Here's to many happy memories at the Theatrical Grill in Cleveland.God bless you my friend.
Jerry Kohout
January 20, 2012
I enjoyed Marty when he was an umpire. My deepest sympathy to his family. You will be missed.
John Leonard
Mentor, Ohio.
Bernie Fallon
January 20, 2012
Marty Springstead
As a kid I remember him as a great umpire as large as life.To stay in the game and make the consistent calls day in and out speaks volumes about this mans dedication to umpiring and the game of baseball itself. You will be missed Marty but you leave a path for those to follow in the right way to call the game.
My extended condolences to you family as well as my thoughts and prayers...Bernie Fallon Boston Mass.
January 20, 2012
Joco Conlan
Linda
January 20, 2012
My deepest sympathy for your loss. My the God of comfort be with you.
Scott Hubbard
January 19, 2012
sympathy to family.Marty brought me much
joy back in the mid 70`s at Memorial
Stadium.Always enjoyed both his humor
and knowledge of the game in the locker
room. R.I.P.
Lee Vermoy
January 19, 2012
Rest in peace, blue.
January 19, 2012
If Marty Sprinstead was your friend,your world was a better place Thank you Marty.
My deepest sympathy to the entire family
M.Shatz Toronto
Scott
January 19, 2012
From umpires at levels, both young and old, this is truly a sad day. You will be missed. RIP.
richie & denise bryles
January 19, 2012
the lord needed someone to "freshen up" the place so he called Marty home. he should be right there at the pearly gate to help st.peter make the call. God bless you Marty and thanks for being our friend.
Leo Coughlin
January 19, 2012
Sorry to hear about Marty's passing and condolences to his family. We all knew 50 years ago seeing Marty perform in the old Class D Alabama-Florida League that he was destined for big things.
Floyd & Kim Ryder
January 19, 2012
To the family we offer our heartfelt condolences on Marty's passing. To say Marty was a good story teller would be an understatement. Marty was a great story teller, perhaps even the best! He told many that have been repeated by thousands of people that were fortunate enough meet him, as well as by countless others that were blessed to be able to call him a friend! You didn't have to spend much time with Marty to realize just how much he loved baseball and umpiring. He spoke often of his passion for the game, his love for "his boys" and the opportunities, experiences and friendships he was afforded due to his days between the lines. Kim and I truly cherished Marty's friendship and the times we shared together. He will be sorely missed.
January 19, 2012
RIP Chief...you will always be one of my heroes.
January 19, 2012
A wonderful friend, a great storyteller and a good person. So proud of his family, he cared for others very much. We will miss you Marty!! Deepest sympathy to the family. See you in the next life!..... Ken and Nancee Sussman
January 19, 2012
While looking through my old high school pictures, I came across one of Marty in our baseball locker room at Suffern High, taken with my dad, Will Eschen the coach, myself and a teammate. He also called a few of our basketball games during the baseball off-season. He was one of Rockland's own, and we followed his career with great interest. We are so saddened by his early passing - he had such integrity, and had such a great time umpiring. Our deepest sympathy to his family from ours, the Eschen family of Suffern and Sloatsburg.
Rich Eschen
Joe Castiglione
January 19, 2012
Marty was a great guy, a good friend and a wonderful umpire and storyteller. We had so much fun being with him in ballparks all over the major leagues and in restaurants on the road. Our prayers to go out to his family. He will be missed .
Ronald Yatsko
January 19, 2012
Marty, it was an honor to call you my friend. My condolences to your family. It will be awhile before I hear the familiar "Give the boys another round".
January 18, 2012
To the the family of Marty Springstead - May God give you peace and comfort through his word and the Lord Jesus Christ during this time of sorrow, I know that he will be missed by many.
BOB JOHNSON
January 18, 2012
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Rick Ferris
January 18, 2012
To Linda and family my deepest condolences on Marty's passing. It was a pleasure to call him my friend.
Rich Light
January 18, 2012
And he did no need a replay. RIP Marty
January 18, 2012
Marty Marty Marty
We had good times at Manny's in Minneapolis whenever you were in town....You will be missed
Charles Krenz
[email protected]
Bill Pemstein
January 18, 2012
Marty was good ump. Sorry to hear of his passing
January 18, 2012
He will be greatly missed. Loved it when he said "it is nice to be important but more important to be nice"......and he was!
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