| Cece Carlucci | |
|---|---|
| Umpire | |
| Born: Cesare Carlucci (1917-12-30)December 30, 1917 Cudahy, California, U.S. | |
| Died: September 17, 2008(2008-09-17) (aged 90) Wildomar, California, U.S. | |
Cesare "Cece"Carlucci (December 30, 1917 – September 17, 2008) was an Americanprofessional baseballumpire. Carlucci worked in thePacific Coast League (PCL) for 12 seasons and was inducted into thePCL Hall of Fame in 2003.
Carlucci was born on December 30, 1917, and raised inBell, California.[1] He had 13 siblings.[2] DuringWorld War II, he was stationed in Alaska.[1]His nickname "Cece" was pronounced exactly like the English word "cease."
After the war, Carlucci wanted to pursue a career in baseball but decided that he was too old to play. He began working as anumpire in winter leagues[1] and then was hired by theCalifornia League for the 1946 season.[3] His contract was sold to thePacific Coast League (PCL) before the 1950 season.[1][4] During a game that he umpired between theLos Angeles Angels andHollywood Stars on August 2, 1953, fighting broke out that required 50Los Angeles Police Department officers to break up.[5] Carlucci said that he was knocked down three times during the brawl.[6]
Carlucci sought a promotion toMajor League Baseball (MLB) on three occasions. But, he told friends, at that time MLB wanted big, physically imposing umpires, and Carlucci stood no more than 5'8" tall. When he was not hired by MLB in the1961 MLB expansion, Carlucci quit the PCL before the 1962 season.[2] He retired from umpiring inprofessional baseball after having officiated 2,590 consecutive games in organized baseball.[7] Never missing a game, Carlucci worked with broken ribs and after being hit by pitches and hit in the throat.[2] During the 1961 season, the PCL announced that Carlucci's consecutive game streak was the longest in baseball history.[8]
After leaving the PCL, Carlucci continued to umpire amateur competitions. He umpired inLatin America and for theAlaska Goldpanners of Fairbanks in 1967, 1968, and 1972. He umpired the1970 International World Series in Colombia and theAmerican Legion World Series in 1971.[9] He also umpired for theCollege World Series andJUCO World Series.[10]
Carlucci manufacturedumpiring equipment that he sold through the company "Mr. Ump" inLake Elsinore, California. In addition to designing equipment for umpires at all levels of baseball, he made the umpiring gear used in the 1984 filmThe Natural.[11]
Carlucci and his wife, Lucille, had a daughter.[2][5] He died at his home inWildomar, California on September 17, 2008.[1]