Former Umpire Dies from a stroke.

[Porter]

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_yl...v=ap&type=lgns

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Former major league umpire Eric Gregg, known for his big personality, extra-wide strike zone and oversized frame, died Monday night, a day after he was hospitalized with a stroke. He was 55.

"I want him to be remembered as someone who loved the game of baseball, someone who was determined to make it no matter what," his son, Kevin Gregg, told The Associated Press.

Gregg, whose struggles with weight problems saw him reach almost 400 pounds, told family members Sunday morning at his home in Ardmore, Pa., that he couldn't feel anything on his left side. He was hospitalized and died at 6:45 p.m. Monday.

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

"He was so determined to be in the game and he got there," Kevin Gregg said.

In 1999, Gregg was among 22 umpires who lost their jobs when their plan to use mass resignations as a way to force early contract negotiations backfired. He was given $400,000 in 2004 when he and five other umpires were given severance pay and benefits.

Its a shame that this happened when he was so young.

[rockin500]

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_yl...v=ap&type=lgns



Its a shame that this happened when he was so young.

a shame perhaps, but his lifestyle led to it.

[Porter]

It probably led to his death but either way its sad.

[realmofotalk]

I initially assumed the Kevin Gregg mentioned in the news was the same person as the Angels pitcher, but there's no mention of the umpire's son as a player.

[realmofotalk]

Nevermind, had no idea Eric Gregg was African American.

[Porter]

Yeah he was a very large African American too.

[Bear]

He was a great umpire who always had a smile for all the players and managers. H always called a fair gamw and the only problem anyone had with him was his weight. This is what really cost him the job he loved. Baseball lost a truly wonderful family member when Eric Gregg passed on!

[SLAM]

Sad news. rip.