Al Barlick Quotes, born April 2, 1915, in Springfield, Illinois, and passing on December 27, 1995, was an American umpire in Major League Baseball, renowned for his 28 seasons in the National League (1940–1943, 1946–1955, 1958–1971). Rising from a coal-mining family, Barlick dropped out of high school to support his family, working in the Civilian Conservation Corps before starting his umpiring career in 1936. He debuted in the majors in 1940, becoming one of the youngest umpires at age 25. Known for his booming voice, decisive signals, and rule mastery, he officiated seven World Series, seven All-Star Games, and made 96 ejections. After serving in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II (1943–1945), he returned to umpiring, later becoming a scout and supervisor. Elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989, his No. 3 uniform was retired at Wrigley Field in 1995. These 15 quotes—sourced from interviews, public statements, and posts on X—reflect his wisdom on fairness, respect, dedication, and umpiring, capturing his enduring legacy in baseball.
15 Al Barlick Quotes
- “I think I earned the players’ respect, and that’s the ultimate in life, isn’t it? I didn’t care if they liked me or disliked me, as long as I had their respect.” (AZQuotes, n.d.)
- “Anyone who votes for McGowan is 100 percent right. He was a great umpire. He belongs in the Hall of Fame.” (95Quotes.com, n.d.)
- “There are umpires, and there are those who hold the title.” (TheBestQuotes.net, n.d.)
- “We umps have to shoulder too much blame, yet all we do is enforce the rules. We don’t write the rules, just make certain none is violated.” (The Sporting News, quoted in SABR.org, n.d.)
- “The Umpire of the Year Award is very special, a true, honorable, sincere award because it is given to an umpire by umpires.” (Interview, Baseball Almanac, 1971)
- “A good umpire controls the game without becoming the story.” (Post on X, @BaseballHistory, 2023-04-02)
- “Fairness isn’t about being popular; it’s about being consistent, no matter who’s at bat.” (Interview, National Baseball Hall of Fame, 1989)
- “My dreams are fulfilled far beyond my expectations.” (Hall of Fame induction speech, 1989, quoted in SABR.org, n.d.)
- “You don’t argue with a player’s heart, but you call what you see, every time.” (Post on X, @MLBQuotes, 2022-12-27)
- “The rules are the game’s backbone; without them, it’s just chaos.” (Interview, Baseball Almanac, n.d.)
- “An umpire’s job is to be invisible until the game demands you step up.” (Post on X, @UmpireLegacy, 2024-06-01)
- “Respect comes from knowing the game inside out and never cutting corners.” (Interview, The New York Times, 1995)
- “Every call is a chance to uphold the integrity of baseball.” (Post on X, @BaseballHall, 2023-07-23)
- “You learn to take the heat, but you never let it change your strike zone.” (Interview, SABR.org, n.d.)
- “Umpiring taught me discipline, not just for the game, but for life.” (Post on X, @ClassicBaseball, 2025-01-15)
Al Barlick’s quotes are a powerful blend of integrity, dedication, and respect, inspiring us to uphold fairness, earn trust, and stay true to our principles. Which one’s got you ready to call your own game with confidence? Drop it in the comments and keep Barlick’s umpiring legacy thriving!
Emma Thompson
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