John William Kibler (January 9, 1929 – February 18, 2010)[1] was anumpire for theNational League from 1965 to 1989. He wore uniform number 9 for most of his career.
Kibler was born inPiseco, New York, on January 9, 1929. He served in the Navy during theKorean War and was a member of the New York State Police before becoming an umpire. He worked in the minors for six seasons in the Georgia–Florida League (1958), Pioneer League (1959),South Atlantic League (1960–1961),American Association (1962), andInternational League (1963).[citation needed]
He joined theNational League full-time starting in 1965 after two partial seasons in 1963–64. He officiated in the1981 National League Division Series, fiveNational League Championship Series' (1972,1975,1979,1984–Game 5 only, and1987—crew chief), fourWorld Series (1971,1978,1982, and1986—crew chief), and fourMajor League Baseball All-Star Games (1965,1974,1980—crew chief, and1985).[2] He also umpired at theno-hitters ofKen Holtzman (1971, third base),Nolan Ryan's fifth no-hitter (1981, third base),Bob Forsch's second no-hitter (1983, second base), andTom Browning'sperfect game (1988, second base).[3] He served as the home plate umpire for the Cardinals inaugural game atBusch Memorial Stadium on May 12, 1966.
Kibler was the crew chief of umpiring for the 1986 World Series. In Game 6, Kibler was umpiring first base when he made the call thatNew York Mets outfielderMookie Wilson's dribbler was a fair ball as it went between the legs ofBoston first basemanBill Buckner, Kibler emphatically pointing "fair" as the ball went down the first base line. Kibler then umpired behind the plate for Game 7 when the Mets clinched their second World Series title in their history.
Kibler married Dorothy Venn in 1958 and had two sons, John Jr. and Jeffrey. Kibler died of a heart attack on February 18, 2010, inPalo Alto, California, at the age of 81.[4]
