Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Doug Eddings

Douglas Leon Eddings (born September 14, 1968) is an American professional umpire in (MLB), known for his long tenure and postseason assignments. A native of , Eddings graduated from Mayfield High School and attended in the 1980s, where he initially aspired to play before pursuing umpiring. He began umpiring at age 12 and attended umpire school in 1989, progressing through the minor leagues from the Arizona League in 1989 to the by 1997–1998, along with winter league stints in the (1994, 1996) and (1995). Eddings joined the full-time MLB umpiring staff in 1999, marking the start of his 26-year career as of 2025, during which he has worn uniform number 88 and was promoted to crew chief in 2025. Eddings has officiated numerous high-profile games, including the 2004 All-Star Game, the 2017 All-Star Game as replay official, the , the , the , the 2025 American League Championship Series, and in 2019 and 2024. His postseason resume also encompasses Games (2014, 2020, 2022, 2023), multiple (2000, 2002, 2018–2021, 2024), and international events like the 2006 All-Star Series and the . Notable calls include umpiring Cal Ripken Jr.'s final game on October 6, 2001, and Carlos Rodón's in 2021. Residing in , Eddings is married, enjoys golf, working out, and riding his motorcycle, and has expressed that his career path began as a childhood dream fueled by a passion for .

Early life and education

Youth and introduction to umpiring

Douglas Leon Eddings was born on September 14, 1968, in . Growing up in the small town, Eddings developed an early interest in through local youth leagues. Eddings' introduction to umpiring came at , prompted by his , who served on the board of the local Little League and needed additional officials for younger divisions due to a shortage. She enlisted him to officiate games, paying him $36 for three matches, which ignited his passion for the role. Over the next several years, he gained foundational experience umpiring youth baseball games in , honing skills in game management and rule application amid the fast-paced environment of Little League play. As he matured, Eddings transitioned to officiating high school sports in , covering baseball, , and for more than a decade. This period allowed him to build advanced proficiency in high-stakes environments, preparing him for professional opportunities before attending umpire school in 1989.

Academic background and training

Eddings graduated from Mayfield High School in , where he developed an early interest in . He subsequently enrolled at during the 1980s, participating in tryouts for the Aggie team and officiating high school , basketball, and football games to gain practical experience. This period built on his initial youth umpiring in Little League games, which he began at age 12. Leaving university, Eddings attended the Umpire School in in 1989, a rigorous professional training program that serves as a primary gateway for aspiring umpires. The school provided intensive instruction in rules interpretation, mechanics, and game management, preparing graduates for competitive evaluation. Upon completing the program, Eddings was selected from among approximately 300 applicants for one of 25 available umpiring positions, marking the start of his professional trajectory. Over the following years, he accumulated substantial experience through assignments in and regional officiating, honing his skills across various levels of play before advancing to the major leagues.

Umpiring career

Major League entry and early assignments

Doug Eddings entered as an on August 16, 1998, when he officiated his first game at the age of 29. Assigned to the staff, he wore uniform number 88, a designation he has retained throughout his career. His debut marked the culmination of several years of minor league experience, where he had progressed through leagues such as the , Eastern League, and . By 1999, Eddings had secured a full-time position on the umpiring staff, solidifying his role in officiating. This transition occurred amid broader changes in MLB's umpiring structure, including the fallout from the 1999 umpires' association mass resignation, which reshaped personnel assignments. The 2000 season brought further evolution to Eddings' career with the merger of the American and umpiring staffs into a single, unified MLB crew system, enabling him to work games across both leagues for the first time. Throughout the , he handled a demanding typical of MLB s, officiating around 130 to 140 regular-season games annually—for instance, 139 games in 2000 and 138 in 2009—while rotating through initial crew assignments that included veteran umpires like Derryl Cousins and Gary Cederstrom. This period established Eddings as a reliable presence in everyday regular-season play, focusing on consistent game management without high-profile postseason duties at the outset.

Postseason experience

Eddings received his first postseason assignment in the 2000 American League Division Series. Over his career, he has officiated four Wild Card games and series, including the 2014 National League Wild Card Game, the 2020 American League Wild Card Series, the 2022 National League Wild Card Series, and the 2023 American League Wild Card Series. Eddings has worked seven , with assignments in 2000, 2002, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2024. He has served in four , including the , the , the , and the 2025 American League Championship Series. Eddings umpired the between the Washington Nationals and Houston Astros, marking his first appearance in the Fall Classic, and returned for the 2024 World Series. In addition to MLB postseason duties, Eddings worked the 2004 All-Star Game as second base umpire and served as replay official for the 2017 All-Star Game. Internationally, he officiated games in the 2006 Japan All-Star Series and the .

Recent promotions and milestones

In the , Doug Eddings continued to accumulate significant milestones, reflecting his longevity and adaptability in umpiring. His career, which began with his first MLB game on August 16, 1998, had spanned 26 years by early 2025, encompassing the introduction of the replay review system in 2014 and his successful integration into its use for reviewing plays like home runs, catches, and tag-ups. This technological shift, implemented league-wide to enhance accuracy, required umpires like Eddings to collaborate with replay centers for overturned calls, as seen in numerous games where his on-field decisions were reviewed and upheld or adjusted. A highlight came on April 14, 2021, when Eddings served as home plate umpire for pitcher Carlos Rodón's against the Cleveland Indians at [Guaranteed Rate Field](/page/Guaranteed Rate Field), an 8-0 victory that featured Rodón's 117 pitches and a near-perfect game spoiled only by a ninth-inning hit-by-pitch. Eddings' performance behind the plate was exceptional, with 99.2% accuracy on 131 callable pitches, including perfect ball calls. In February 2025, MLB promoted Eddings to crew chief status, acknowledging his veteran status and experience, as part of a group that included and Andy Fletcher to replace retiring leaders Paul Emmel, Jerry Layne, and . This role elevated him to lead an umpire crew, drawing on his earlier postseason work as a foundation for guiding teams in regular-season and playoff games.

Notable assignments and controversies

Historic games

Doug Eddings served as the home plate umpire for Cal Ripken Jr.'s final Major League Baseball game on October 6, 2001, between the Baltimore Orioles and the Boston Red Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Originally assigned to first base, Eddings shifted to home plate after the game's initial home plate umpire, Eric Cooper, left due to injury in the early innings. Ripken, who had broken Lou Gehrig's consecutive games played record in 1995, went 0-for-4 in his farewell appearance, as the Red Sox defeated the Orioles 5-1 before a crowd of 48,807. On August 4, 2007, Eddings worked second base during the Giants' game against the Padres at , where hit his 755th career in the second inning off pitcher Clay Hensley, tying Hank Aaron's all-time record. The milestone shot traveled an estimated 382 feet into the left-field stands, drawing a from the 42,497 fans in attendance. The Padres ultimately won the game 3-2 in 12 innings, marking a significant moment in Bonds' pursuit of the crown. Eddings has officiated other notable non-controversial games involving player achievements, contributing to the documentation of MLB history through his precise positioning and calls during these landmark contests.

Controversial decisions

One of the most debated calls in Doug Eddings' career occurred during Game 2 of the (ALCS) between the and , with the White Sox leading the series 1-0. In the bottom of the ninth inning, with the score tied 1-1, two outs, and Angels pitcher Kelvim Escobar facing White Sox on a full count, Pierzynski swung and missed at a pitch that appeared to be caught cleanly by Angels backup Josh Paul. Eddings signaled strike three but ruled the third strike not caught cleanly, invoking the dropped third strike rule and allowing Pierzynski to reach first base safely, as the ball had briefly touched the dirt before Paul's glove. Pierzynski, alert to the call, immediately ran to first, sparking chaos as Angels manager argued vehemently that Eddings had initially signaled a clean catch with a closed fist before changing the ruling. The controversial ruling enabled the White Sox to score the game-winning run on Joe Crede's single, securing a 2-1 victory and tying the series at one game apiece. went on to sweep the remaining three games, winning the ALCS and advancing to the , where they clinched their first championship in 88 years, while the Angels were eliminated. Media coverage highlighted the call's pivotal role, with Angels players and fans decrying it as a game-altering error that robbed of a potential extra-inning opportunity; Scioscia called it an "altered" decision after Pierzynski's baserunning influenced the . The incident drew widespread criticism from analysts, who noted replay footage suggested a clean catch, damaging Eddings' reputation early in his postseason career and fueling ongoing discussions about umpire accountability in high-stakes games. In 2021, Eddings faced significant backlash during multiple San Diego Padres games, where his calls and ejections intensified tensions amid the team's push. On July 24 against the , Eddings called a pitch on , only to call it strike three in what appeared to be a miscommunication or error, prompting outrage from the Padres dugout. Fernando Tatis Jr. expressed visible frustration after the call, later stating the team was "infuriated" by the inconsistent zone, while outfielder and associate manager were ejected for arguing balls and strikes. The Padres lost 3-2, dropping a game in the standings, and manager announced intentions to contact about the umpiring, describing the performance as "frustrating" and impacting the team's momentum. The disputes escalated on August 20 against the Philadelphia Phillies, where Eddings ejected Tingler in the sixth inning after the manager protested a called strike on , followed by the ejections of in the eighth after he argued a borderline and development coach for continued arguing. These incidents contributed to a 4-3 loss, leaving tied for the final spot and amplifying fan and media scrutiny of Eddings' tight , which was perceived as punitive toward the home team. Local outlets reported the Padres' growing ire, with Tingler noting post-game frustration over the zone's consistency, while analysts linked the ejections to broader concerns about Eddings' confrontational style, which has seen him accumulate over 100 career ejections. The episodes eroded trust in Eddings among Padres supporters and highlighted how such controversies can affect playoff positioning for contending teams. During Game 4 of the 2024 between the and New York Yankees on October 28, Eddings served as home plate and faced criticism for missing multiple calls, contributing to a series total of 56 missed calls by umpires, with 30 disadvantaging the Dodgers. data indicated Eddings' performance was below average, fueling discussions on accuracy in postseason play.

Umpiring style and statistics

Strike zone tendencies

Doug Eddings has consistently demonstrated an expansive in his umpiring, particularly favoring pitchers by calling borderline pitches as strikes more frequently than the MLB average. A analysis of 2011 season data by The Hardball Times ranked Eddings as having the largest among all umpires, at 3.65 square units, surpassing peers like and . This tendency contributes to higher called strike percentages in his games, with a strikeout-to-walk of 2.9-to-1 over the 2021–2023 seasons, compared to the league average of 2.7-to-1. Eddings' zone is notably wide horizontally, extending to outside pitches for left-handed batters and inside pitches for right-handed ones, while vertically it emphasizes high pitches as strikes for hitters on both sides of the plate. Umpire Scorecards data from tracking shows his overall accuracy in ball-strike calls at 94.4%, placing him above the expected average of 93.7% and within the top half of qualified umpires. These metrics highlight a that rewards precise location but can challenge hitters on the edges of the official . In the 2025 ALCS Game 2, Eddings recorded 86% accuracy, missing 24 calls, marking one of the least accurate postseason performances since 2022. Since the expansion of replay review in 2014, Eddings has maintained his pitcher-friendly approach, accumulating 153 Runs Saved since (as of 2023)—the highest in MLB—indicating he calls approximately 1.5 more strikes per 150 pitches than expected based on pitch-tracking data. This persistence aligns with league-wide adjustments in the automated ball-strike () experimental era, where umpires like Eddings have refined calls on low pitches to better match systems, though his overall zone size remains among the largest.

Ejection record and incidents

Doug Eddings has issued 107 ejections throughout his Major League Baseball umpiring career, spanning from 1999 to 2025. This total places him among the more active disciplinarians on the field, with ejections occurring at a steady rate across his tenure, averaging approximately 3.8 per season. The majority of Eddings' ejections arise from routine arguments over balls and strikes calls, reflecting the high frequency of such disputes in baseball. For instance, on May 29, 2000, he ejected Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox following a disagreement on a called third strike. Similarly, in 2018, Eddings removed two Braves players, Ender Inciarte and Ronald Acuña Jr., during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies over check swing and safe/out calls, respectively. These incidents highlight a pattern where verbal protests escalate quickly under Eddings' enforcement of umpire-manager protocols. Eddings has also handled several bench-clearing brawls resulting in ejections, often in tense matchups. On July 15, 2000, he ejected Rockies amid a skirmish between the Rockies and the . Another example occurred on June 13, 2003, when he removed Casey during a brawl with the Milwaukee Brewers. Such events demonstrate his role in maintaining order during heated on-field confrontations. In high-pressure situations, Eddings' ejections show a tendency to cluster around competitive games involving teams like the Boston Red Sox and San Diego Padres, though data indicates no disproportionate frequency with any single franchise beyond typical rivalry dynamics. In 2025, for example, he ejected Red Sox manager and outfielder on June 22 against the Giants after a disputed replay review on a tag play. His expansive , which favors pitchers, has at times fueled these arguments leading to ejections. Overall, Eddings' record underscores a consistent application of MLB rules on player and manager conduct, with most incidents resolved without further escalation.

References

  1. [1]
    Doug Eddings - Umpire Metrics - The Baseball Cube
    Proper Name. Douglas Leon Eddings ; Height. 6-0 ; Weight. 200 ; Birth Date. September 14,1968 Age: 57.035 ; Place. Las Cruces,NM.
  2. [2]
    MLB Umpire Bios
    Doug Eddings (88). Doug Eddings - 88 - CREW CHIEF. MAJOR LEAGUE SERVICE TIME: 26 Years. CAREER: Joined the Major League staff in 1999...has worked the 2014 NL ...
  3. [3]
    Working for 'a hot dog and a coke,' Major League Baseball umpires ...
    With two decades of experience as a Major League Baseball umpire, Doug Eddings achieved his dream of officiating a World Series in fall 2019.
  4. [4]
    Five umpires receive promotions to the Major League staff - MLB.com
    Feb 14, 2025 · Eddings is a 26-year Major League Umpire, Fletcher has 25.5 years of Major League experience, and Carapazza has 14 years as a Major League ...
  5. [5]
    Doug Eddings MLB Umpire Stats - Baseball Almanac
    Oct 21, 2019 · Doug Eddings was born on Saturday, September 14, 1968, in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Eddings works as an umpire with Major League Baseball.Missing: early life
  6. [6]
    UEFL Profile of MLB Umpire Doug Eddings - Close Call Sports
    Mar 13, 2013 · Name: Douglas Leon Eddings ; Pronunciation Guide: DUG ED-ings ; Date of Birth: September 14, 1968 ; Place of Birth: Las Cruces, New Mexico ; MiLB ...Missing: early life
  7. [7]
    MAYFIELD HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE GETS HIS SHOT IN ... - NMAA
    Oct 21, 2019 · She was on the Little League board and told 12-year old Doug he had to start umpiring some games at the younger divisions because they were one ...Missing: age | Show results with:age
  8. [8]
    Las Cruces man is among umpires for World Series - KVIA
    Oct 21, 2019 · Eddings, an alumnus of Mayfield High School and New Mexico State University, began umpiring Little League games at the age of 14, and in his ...Missing: 12 mother
  9. [9]
    Las Cruces native Doug Eddings to umpire first World Series
    Eddings went to umpire school at the age of 19. He was one of 300 applicants seeking one of 25 minor league baseball jobs. He became a full time Major League ...Missing: mother | Show results with:mother
  10. [10]
    Doug Eddings - BR Bullpen - Baseball-Reference.com
    Mar 12, 2023 · Height 6' 0", Weight 200 lb. Born September 14, 1968 in Las Cruces, NM USA ... A few days earlier, on May 12th, he had ejected the usually mild ...Missing: life Mexico
  11. [11]
    The Fates of the 22: MLB Umpire Resignations in 1999 - SABR.org
    57 of 68 major-league umpires signed resignation letters and Phillips announced the resignations at a press conference on July 15, 1999.
  12. [12]
    BASEBALL; After Union Turmoil and Leagues' Merger, Choosing ...
    Apr 3, 2000 · Article discusses how Major League baseball assigned umpire crews for 2000 season, first in which umpires will work both American League and ...
  13. [13]
    Umpires for Wild Card Games and Division Series announced
    Sep 30, 2019 · Barrett's crew has Jordan Baker, Doug Eddings, Tripp Gibson, Will Little and Alfonso Marquez.
  14. [14]
    Press release: 2020 MLB Division Series umpires
    Oct 5, 2020 · The crew guided by Miller includes Lance Barrett, Doug Eddings, Angel Hernandez, regular season crew chief Alfonso Marquez and Quinn Wolcott.
  15. [15]
    Umpires for League Championship Series announced - MLB.com
    Oct 18, 2022 · Barrett's crew will include Lance Barrett (no relation), Doug Eddings, Adam Hamari, Brian Knight, Todd Tichenor and Quinn Wolcott. Márquez's ...
  16. [16]
    Press release: Umpires for 2025 League Championship Series ...
    Oct 12, 2025 · Márquez's crew for the ALCS features Ryan Additon, regular season crew chiefs Doug Eddings and Marvin Hudson, Ben May, D.J. Reyburn and ...Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
  17. [17]
    Press release: Umpires For The 2019 World Series Announced
    Oct 21, 2019 · The North Dakota native was the home plate umpire for Johan Santana's 2012 no-hitter, the first in the history of the New York Mets. He will ...Missing: biography | Show results with:biography<|control11|><|separator|>
  18. [18]
    Umpires for the 2024 World Series presented by Capital One ...
    Oct 24, 2024 · The Illinois native was a part of the crews that officiated the 2015 and 2020 World Series. Carlson's World Series crew features Doug Eddings, ...
  19. [19]
    MLB Gameday: AL All-Stars 9, NL All-Stars 4 Final Score (07/13/2004)
    Umpires: HP: Ed Montague. 1B: John Hirschbeck. 2B: Doug Eddings. 3B: Jim Reynolds. LF: Marvin Hudson. RF: Sam Holbrook. Weather ...
  20. [20]
    Umpires, official scorers & coaches announced for 2017 All-Star Game
    Jul 6, 2017 · ... Doug Eddings, a 19th-year Major League Umpire. Eddings worked the 2004 All-Star Game in Houston. The Minor League Baseball Umpires who will ...Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
  21. [21]
    2023 World Baseball Classic (Umpires) - BR Bullpen
    Mar 21, 2023 · Doug Eddings, USA (Pool C); Mike Estabrook, USA (Pool D); Fabrizio Fabrizi, Italy (Pool B); Andy Fletcher, USA (Pool D); Atsushi Fukaya, Japan ...
  22. [22]
    MLB Replay Reviews 273-274: Eddings, Hudson
    May 13, 2014 · At the time of the review, the Phillies were leading, 2-1. The Angels ultimately won the contest, 4-3. This is Doug Eddings (88)'s sixth Replay ...
  23. [23]
    White Sox 8-0 Indians (Apr 14, 2021) Final Score - ESPN
    Carlos Rodón threw the majors' second no-hitter of the season Wednesday night, losing his bid for a perfect game on a hit batter in the ninth inning.
  24. [24]
    2021 No-Hitter 2, Doug Eddings (1; Carlos Rodón)
    - **Confirmation**: Yes, Doug Eddings was the home plate umpire for Carlos Rodón's no-hitter on April 14, 2021.
  25. [25]
    Five new umpires get called up to Major League staff - MLB.com
    Feb 14, 2025 · Eddings has been a Major League umpire for 26 years, Fletcher ... Doug Eddings' crew, and MacKay will join Alan Porter's crew. Merzel ...Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
  26. [26]
    Boston Red Sox vs Baltimore Orioles Box Score: October 6, 2001
    Oct 6, 2001 · Boston Red Sox beat Baltimore Orioles (5-1). Oct 6, 2001, Attendance: 48807, Time of Game: 2:43. Visit Baseball-Reference.com for the ...
  27. [27]
    San Francisco Giants vs San Diego Padres Box Score: August 4, 2007
    Aug 4, 2007 · San Diego Padres beat San Francisco Giants (3-2). Aug 4, 2007, Attendance: 42497, Time of Game: 3:55. Visit Baseball-Reference.com for the ...
  28. [28]
    Barry Bonds ties Aaron with his 755th career homer | 08/04/2007
    Aug 4, 2007 · Barry Bonds hits his 755th career home run, tying him with Hank Aaron for first place on the all-time list.
  29. [29]
    October 12, 2005: A.J. Pierzynski's heads-up baserunning leads to ...
    Oct 12, 2005 · “Doug Eddings called him out, and somewhere along the line, because the guy ran to first base, he altered the call,” said Scioscia.5. When ...
  30. [30]
    CONTROVERSIAL CALL IN 9TH SINKS HALOS - New York Post
    Oct 13, 2005 · He was unchallenged because Angels backup catcher Josh Paul appeared to catch the ball cleanly, and plate umpire Doug Eddings initially put his ...
  31. [31]
    Umpire's call creates stir in ALCS
    Oct 14, 2005 · Given a second chance when plate umpire Doug Eddings called strike three - but not the third out, ruling third-string catcher Josh Paul had not ...
  32. [32]
    Can One Call Change the Outcome of the Season? White Sox ...
    Jan 4, 2011 · Umpire Doug Eddings rules that Angels catcher Josh Paul did not ... 2005 ALCS Game Two call did not mean a thing. I've watched the ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  33. [33]
    Tatis Hits 30th Homer But Padres Lose in Miami on Terrible Night for ...
    Jul 24, 2021 · Eddings' strike zone expanded to include most of Miami-Dade County, infuriating the San Diego dugout and prompting the ejection of both Tommy ...
  34. [34]
    Two ejected as Padres drop frustrating game to Marlins
    Jul 24, 2021 · Home plate umpire Doug Eddings ejects Pham and coach; Padres go hitless in final six innings ... Fernando Tatis Jr. was incensed after ...
  35. [35]
    Padres to call MLB over bad umpiring from Doug Eddings
    Jul 24, 2021 · Padres manager Jayce Tingler, who was not ejected, said his team was frustrated. He also said they would call MLB over the poor umpiring. " ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  36. [36]
    Padres even in Wild Card race after loss to Phillies - MLB.com
    Aug 21, 2021 · ... Tingler and third baseman Manny Machado ejected by plate umpire Doug Eddings for arguing balls and strikes. “We're obviously frustrated with ...
  37. [37]
    Padres Fall to Phillies 4-3 After Ejections
    Aug 20, 2021 · He had taken issue with a called strike earlier in the at-bat, and manager Jayce Tingler let home-plate umpire Doug Eddings have it, leading to ...
  38. [38]
    Padres lose opener to Phillies; umpire Doug Eddings again draws ire
    Aug 21, 2021 · Machado, however, was not able to finish the game after being ejected by home plate umpire Doug Eddings after a strikeout that ended the eighth ...
  39. [39]
    Which umpire has the largest strike zone? - The Hardball Times
    Jan 11, 2012 · The umpires with the five largest strikezones are: Phil Cuzzi 3.60, Ron Kulpa 3.60, Bill Miller 3.63, Ted Barret 3.63, Doug Eddings 3.65.
  40. [40]
    Stat of the Week: Doug Eddings & Bill Miller Call A Lot Of Strikes
    Jun 30, 2023 · Eddings has 153 Strike Zone Runs Saved in that time. Miller has 152. The next-closest umpire is Phil Cuzzi, with 70 Strike Zone Runs Saved, not ...
  41. [41]
    Behind the balls and strikes: A look at the tendencies of the World ...
    Oct 22, 2019 · Most important tendencies: Eddings' strike-calling tendencies have been most pronounced on high pitches for hitters on both sides of the plate, ...
  42. [42]
    UmpScorecards | Doug Eddings
    **Summary of Doug Eddings' Umpire Data**
  43. [43]
    Stat of the Week: Scouting Home Plate Umpires and Their Tendencies
    Apr 11, 2024 · Last season we wrote an article about how Doug Eddings and Bill Miller have called considerably more strikes than expected dating to the first ...
  44. [44]
    MLB Ejections 150-151 - Doug Eddings (3-4; ATL x2)
    Sep 7, 2018 · MLB Ejections 150-151 - Doug Eddings (3-4; ATL x2). HP Umpire Doug Eddings ejected Braves CF Ender Inciarte (check swing strike two call by 3B ...Missing: total rankings<|control11|><|separator|>
  45. [45]
    MLB Ejections 082-3 - Doug Eddings (1-2; BOS x2)
    Jun 22, 2025 · These are Doug Eddings (88)'s 1st and 2nd ejections of 2025. *The Replay Official's decision of "call stands" was correct due to lack of clear ...Missing: active | Show results with:active