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Former MLB Umpire Steve Palermo Dies at Age 67

Former Major League Baseball umpire Steve Palermo died Sunday at the age of 67.

ESPN.com reported the news and noted Palermo—who made his American League debut in 1976—"had been in poor health."

"Steve Palermo was a great umpire, a gifted communicator and a widely respected baseball official, known in our sport for his leadership and courage," MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement, per ESPN.com. "He had an exceptional impact on both his fellow Major League Umpires and baseball fans, who benefited from his ability to explain the rules of our game.