Keeping the game of baseball running smoothly day after day, year after year, takes the effort of many unseen individuals. Umpires often call themselves "invisible" and complain that they "hide in plain sight," but there are others there who contribute just as much to the game who are rarely recognized.
Ernie Tyler served as umpire attendant for every home Baltimore Orioles game from opening day in 1960 until July 27, 2007. That's a streak of 3,819 games! He only interrupted his streak because Cal Ripken asked Tyler to attend his Hall of Fame induction. Tyler passed on February 11. New York Times writer Bruce Weber, author of As They See 'Em: A Fan's Travels in the Land of Umpires, writes a nice tribute to Mr. Tyler.
Baltimore television WBAL did a video story on Tyler a few years ago.
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