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Around The NL: St. Louisan Davis gets final series here
Compiled By Rick Hummel
Of the Post-Dispatch
09/11/2005
Gerry Davis saw the first regular-season game played in Busch Stadium in 1966 from the bleachers. "I've still got the certificate," said Davis, who was 13 at the time. Davis will see the last regular-season game at Busch from the field.
The St. Louis native and umpire crew chief, who grew up going to 30 or so Cardinals games a year before he went away to umpire school in 1976 - "I always sat in the bleachers" - has been allowed to trade his last regular- season series so that he can work the final weekend here, Sept. 30-Oct. 2.
In fact, Davis, who was scheduled to work the next-to-last series here, will be joined by St. Louisan Ron Kulpa, another umpire who also was permitted to trade assignments with a member of the Joe Brinkman crew that had been slated to work here.
Major League Baseball has made similar concessions in past years to allow umpires from a particular city to work the last game played in that city's stadium. Davis, who is here this weekend, said, "This means a lot to my family and friends.
"When you become an umpire, you're not a fan anymore," Davis said. But he added, "I'm glad the Cardinals are so far ahead (in the standings), so I'll be able to enjoy the atmosphere."
Compiled By Rick Hummel
Of the Post-Dispatch
09/11/2005
Gerry Davis saw the first regular-season game played in Busch Stadium in 1966 from the bleachers. "I've still got the certificate," said Davis, who was 13 at the time. Davis will see the last regular-season game at Busch from the field.
The St. Louis native and umpire crew chief, who grew up going to 30 or so Cardinals games a year before he went away to umpire school in 1976 - "I always sat in the bleachers" - has been allowed to trade his last regular- season series so that he can work the final weekend here, Sept. 30-Oct. 2.
In fact, Davis, who was scheduled to work the next-to-last series here, will be joined by St. Louisan Ron Kulpa, another umpire who also was permitted to trade assignments with a member of the Joe Brinkman crew that had been slated to work here.
Major League Baseball has made similar concessions in past years to allow umpires from a particular city to work the last game played in that city's stadium. Davis, who is here this weekend, said, "This means a lot to my family and friends.
"When you become an umpire, you're not a fan anymore," Davis said. But he added, "I'm glad the Cardinals are so far ahead (in the standings), so I'll be able to enjoy the atmosphere."
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