Rocky Roe | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1950-08-16)August 16, 1950 (age 75) Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Occupation | FormerMLBumpire |
| Years active | 1979–2001 |
John Andrew "Rocky" Roe (born August 16, 1950) is an American formerumpire inMajor League Baseball who worked in theAmerican League from 1979 to 1999 and in both leagues in 2000 and 2001. He officiated in the1990 and1999 World Series, as well as the 1984 and 1994All-Star Games. He also worked threeAmerican League Championship Series (1986,1991,1996) and fourDivision Series (1995,1997,1999,2000). Roe wore uniform number 27 throughout his career.
Roe grew up inSouthfield, Michigan, and acquired his nickname because he was a fan of the popular major leaguerRocky Colavito.[1]
Roe played baseball atEastern Michigan University, where he received his degree in business administration, and was a member of the winning 1970NAIA national championship team.[2]
Roe was inducted into Eastern Michigan University's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001.
Roe played semi-pro baseball for the Liberal Bee Jays.
He was promoted to the American League staff on June 7, 1982, hours afterLou DiMuro was struck and killed by a passing motorist on a busy street inArlington, Texas following a game between theTexas Rangers andChicago White Sox. Roe's first crew includedLarry Barnett,Mike Reilly andDurwood Merrill.
In 1996 he took a leave of absence to enter a weight loss program following the death of fellow umpireJohn McSherry;[3] he took part in another health program in 2002.[4] Roe submitted his resignation as part of a union strategy in 1999, but quickly reconsidered and withdrew his resignation, saying it was like "drinking Kool-Aid at a Jim Jones picnic";[1] his decision proved fortunate, as all submitted resignations were eventually accepted by Major League Baseball. He retired in 2002.
Roe was the home plate umpire on June 27, 1987, whenMark McGwire had the first three-home run game of his career, and was the second base umpire on September 14 of the same year whenCal Ripken Jr. ended his record streak of 8,243 consecutive innings played.[5] Roe was behind the plate for the final game atTiger Stadium.[6]
