Ex umpire Eric Gregg has massive fatal stroke - RedsZone.com - Cincinnati Reds Fans' Home for Baseball Discussion

Cedric · 06-05-2006, 01:16 AM

Sad news. Not entirely surprising with his weight issues.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2470705

Former major league umpire Eric Gregg, known for his wide strike zone and well-documented weight problems, suffered a massive stroke Sunday and was unconscious, his son Kevin told ESPN.com's Jayson Stark. Gregg was hospitalized at Lankenau Hospital in Philadelphia.

Eric Gregg
Brian Bahr/Getty Images
Gregg, whose battle with weight problems became quite public, was one of baseball's most recognizable umpires.

Gregg's outlook, according to his son, does not look promising, regardless of whether he survives.

"There's no sure sign how much better he can get from here," he said. "He has a large amount of blood in the brain right now."

Kevin Gregg said his father complained to family members on Sunday morning at his home in Ardmore, Pa., that he couldn't feel anything on his left side.

"It became apparent to them that it was a stroke and he was rushed to the hospital," he said.

In early March, the former umpire had his right knee replaced. Kevin Gregg said his father was taking blood thinners to prevent clots.

"They think that triggered a leak in the vessels in the head," he said.

Gregg, 55, was one of 22 umpires who lost their jobs in 1999 as a result of a failed labor strategy. In an attempt to force an early start to contract negotiations, union head Richie Phillips called for mass resignations. Surprisingly, the league accepted the resignations, leaving the 22 men jobless.

In 2001, a judge ordered baseball to rehire nine of the 22 umpires, but Gregg was not one of them.

Three years before losing his job, Gregg was given a leave of absence to begin a weight-loss program. Gregg's decision, through consultation with the National League, came one week after umpire John McSherry collapsed in a game in Cincinnati on Opening Day 1996 and died.

When he took leave, Gregg was listed by the league at 325 pounds. The only umpire at the time heavier than Gregg was the 51-year-old McSherry, who weighed 380 pounds when he died of heart disease.

"In light of recent events," Gregg said then, "I feel this is the right time to take a serious look at my weight and conditioning. My goal is to be a major league umpire for many years to come, and to accomplish that I need to take a closer look at my overall health."

At one point in the late 1980s, Gregg lost 53 pounds after the league office ordered its heavier umpires to drop weight.

Gregg called his first game in 1975 and became a member of the NL staff in 1978. He worked the 1989 World Series, four league championship series, two division series and one All-Star Game.

Jpup · 06-05-2006, 01:22 AM

sad stuff. certainly, thoughts and prayers are with he and his family.

Topcat · 06-05-2006, 02:50 AM

regg, 55, was one of 22 umpires who lost their jobs in 1999 as a result of a failed labor strategy. In an attempt to force an early start to contract negotiations, union head Richie Phillips called for mass resignations. Surprisingly, the league accepted the resignations, leaving the 22 men jobless.

God I wish Eric would have not blidly followed the ump's union leader and stuck with his job. My pain is for his family and the chancesa he may have had thru insurance to save his life.

RAS · 06-05-2006, 05:12 AM

He has always been a very personable guy. I'm sorry to hear about this. My prayers are also with he and his family

RedFanAlways1966 · 06-05-2006, 07:46 AM

Very sad. A friendly and personable guy. I did not think much of his umpiring, but he seemed to be a great person.

cumberlandreds · 06-05-2006, 08:08 AM

I hate to hear this. Gregg seemed like a good guy even if his umpiring wasn't the best. I think I remember reading that he suffered the most financially from the stupidity of the umpires union that advised all the umpires to resign. I hope he has the necessary insurance to pay for the medical bills.

BuckWoody · 06-05-2006, 08:22 AM

Gregg always seemed like a great guy, if not a great umpire. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

06-05-2006, 02:02 PM

May God be with Eric.

KronoRed · 06-05-2006, 02:20 PM

Sad news

realreds1 · 06-05-2006, 02:29 PM

I'm going to write about a great memory I have of Eric Gregg: although he struggled with weight problems, while umpiring, he had a great sense-of-humor. Remember when he left the cheeseburger on 3rd base? Then picked it up and ate a bite?

I still love that memory.

Team Clark · 06-05-2006, 05:19 PM

Gregg and Frank Pulli were my faves. A lot of style and HUGE strike zones.

Outshined_One · 06-05-2006, 08:51 PM

Was just listening to the Cubs/Astros game on MLB.tv...he's passed away.

reds1869 · 06-05-2006, 08:51 PM

Per several media outlets he has died. God bless him.

RFS62 · 06-05-2006, 09:39 PM

RIP big guy.

gilpdawg · 06-05-2006, 11:28 PM

That's a shame. I remember when he came on Furball's show back in the 90s. He was a funny dude.

06-05-2006, 01:16 AM	#1
Cedric Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Monroe Posts: 6,218	Ex umpire Eric Gregg has massive fatal stroke Sad news. Not entirely surprising with his weight issues. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2470705 Former major league umpire Eric Gregg, known for his wide strike zone and well-documented weight problems, suffered a massive stroke Sunday and was unconscious, his son Kevin told ESPN.com's Jayson Stark. Gregg was hospitalized at Lankenau Hospital in Philadelphia. Eric Gregg Brian Bahr/Getty Images Gregg, whose battle with weight problems became quite public, was one of baseball's most recognizable umpires. Gregg's outlook, according to his son, does not look promising, regardless of whether he survives. "There's no sure sign how much better he can get from here," he said. "He has a large amount of blood in the brain right now." Kevin Gregg said his father complained to family members on Sunday morning at his home in Ardmore, Pa., that he couldn't feel anything on his left side. "It became apparent to them that it was a stroke and he was rushed to the hospital," he said. In early March, the former umpire had his right knee replaced. Kevin Gregg said his father was taking blood thinners to prevent clots. "They think that triggered a leak in the vessels in the head," he said. Gregg, 55, was one of 22 umpires who lost their jobs in 1999 as a result of a failed labor strategy. In an attempt to force an early start to contract negotiations, union head Richie Phillips called for mass resignations. Surprisingly, the league accepted the resignations, leaving the 22 men jobless. In 2001, a judge ordered baseball to rehire nine of the 22 umpires, but Gregg was not one of them. Three years before losing his job, Gregg was given a leave of absence to begin a weight-loss program. Gregg's decision, through consultation with the National League, came one week after umpire John McSherry collapsed in a game in Cincinnati on Opening Day 1996 and died. When he took leave, Gregg was listed by the league at 325 pounds. The only umpire at the time heavier than Gregg was the 51-year-old McSherry, who weighed 380 pounds when he died of heart disease. "In light of recent events," Gregg said then, "I feel this is the right time to take a serious look at my weight and conditioning. My goal is to be a major league umpire for many years to come, and to accomplish that I need to take a closer look at my overall health." At one point in the late 1980s, Gregg lost 53 pounds after the league office ordered its heavier umpires to drop weight. Gregg called his first game in 1975 and became a member of the NL staff in 1978. He worked the 1989 World Series, four league championship series, two division series and one All-Star Game. __________________ This is the time. The real Reds organization is back.

06-05-2006, 01:22 AM	#2
Jpup Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Southern KY Posts: 6,967	Re: Ex umpire Eric Gregg has massive stroke sad stuff. certainly, thoughts and prayers are with he and his family. __________________ "My mission is to be the ray of hope, the guy who stands out there on that beautiful field and owns up to his mistakes and lets people know it's never completely hopeless, no matter how bad it seems at the time. I have a platform and a message, and now I go to bed at night, sober and happy, praying I can be a good messenger." -Josh Hamilton

06-05-2006, 02:50 AM	#3
Topcat Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,928	Re: Ex umpire Eric Gregg has massive stroke regg, 55, was one of 22 umpires who lost their jobs in 1999 as a result of a failed labor strategy. In an attempt to force an early start to contract negotiations, union head Richie Phillips called for mass resignations. Surprisingly, the league accepted the resignations, leaving the 22 men jobless. God I wish Eric would have not blidly followed the ump's union leader and stuck with his job. My pain is for his family and the chancesa he may have had thru insurance to save his life. __________________ 2006 Redzone mock Draftee's- 1(st) Daniel Bard(redsox), 1(st sup)( Jordan Walden (Angels), 2(nd) rd.- Zach Britton(Orioles), 3(rd) Blair Erickson(Cardinals), 3(rd) Tim Norton( Yankees),(cuz its a Tim Hortons thing Pain heals. Chicks dig scars. Glory... lasts forever.

06-05-2006, 05:12 AM	#4
RAS Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 53	Re: Ex umpire Eric Gregg has massive stroke He has always been a very personable guy. I'm sorry to hear about this. My prayers are also with he and his family

06-05-2006, 07:46 AM	#5
RedFanAlways1966 For a Level Playing Field Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Oakwood, OH Posts: 11,240	Re: Ex umpire Eric Gregg has massive stroke Very sad. A friendly and personable guy. I did not think much of his umpiring, but he seemed to be a great person. __________________ Small market fan... always hoping, but never expecting.

06-05-2006, 08:08 AM	#6
cumberlandreds Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Sterling VA Posts: 7,837	Re: Ex umpire Eric Gregg has massive stroke I hate to hear this. Gregg seemed like a good guy even if his umpiring wasn't the best. I think I remember reading that he suffered the most financially from the stupidity of the umpires union that advised all the umpires to resign. I hope he has the necessary insurance to pay for the medical bills. __________________ Reds Fan Since 1971

06-05-2006, 08:22 AM	#7
BuckWoody Davey Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Dayton Posts: 911	Re: Ex umpire Eric Gregg has massive stroke Gregg always seemed like a great guy, if not a great umpire. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. __________________

06-05-2006, 02:02 PM	#8
saboforthird Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Ex umpire Eric Gregg has massive stroke May God be with Eric.

06-05-2006, 02:20 PM	#9
KronoRed The Lineups stink. Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: West N. Carolina Posts: 55,342	Re: Ex umpire Eric Gregg has massive stroke Sad news __________________ Go Gators!

06-05-2006, 02:29 PM	#10
realreds1 Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 664	Re: Ex umpire Eric Gregg has massive stroke I'm going to write about a great memory I have of Eric Gregg: although he struggled with weight problems, while umpiring, he had a great sense-of-humor. Remember when he left the cheeseburger on 3rd base? Then picked it up and ate a bite? I still love that memory.

06-05-2006, 08:51 PM	#12
Outshined_One One Man Army Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 440	Re: Ex umpire Eric Gregg has massive stroke Was just listening to the Cubs/Astros game on MLB.tv...he's passed away.

06-05-2006, 08:51 PM	#13
reds1869 We Need Our Myths Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Overlooking GABP Posts: 4,163	Re: Ex umpire Eric Gregg has massive stroke Per several media outlets he has died. God bless him.

06-05-2006, 09:39 PM	#14
RFS62 Hey Cubs Fans Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: New York Posts: 16,567	Re: Ex umpire Eric Gregg has massive fatal stroke RIP big guy. __________________ "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." ~ Mark Twain

06-05-2006, 11:28 PM	#15
gilpdawg Section 525-Saturdays. Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: New Paris, OH Posts: 1,973	Re: Ex umpire Eric Gregg has massive fatal stroke That's a shame. I remember when he came on Furball's show back in the 90s. He was a funny dude.

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