The Dodgers will honor umpire Bob Motley before Friday night’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers. What’s the big deal about that, you say? Motley, 94, is the only surviving umpire from the Negro Leagues.
Motley umpired in the Negro American League from 1947 through 1958. In his book, “Ruling Over Monarchs, Giants and Stars: Umpiring in the Negro Leagues and Beyond,” Motley recalls the following story:
“I think I’ve blocked out the exact scenario that led up to the particular incident, but it’s the only time I was actually afraid of the fans. All I remember is that, on the last out of the game, fifteen thousand [Kansas City] Monarchs fans decided to blame Bob Motley for the team’s loss.