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Nestor Chylak

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Nestor George Chylak, Jr. (May 11, 1922 - February 17, 1982) was an American umpire in Major League Baseball who worked in the American League from 1954 to 1978.

He was born in Peckville, Pennsylvania of Ukrainian descent, and attended the University of Scranton. During World War II, he served in the Army in Europe; during the Battle of the Bulge, he was wounded by shrapnel from an exploding shell, an injury which nearly cost him his sight. He earned both the Silver Star and Purple Heart during his service. After the war's end, he began umpiring amateur baseball in 1946, and returned briefly to college. He first worked in the minor leagues in 1947, reaching the majors seven years afterward.

He umpired in 3 ALCS, including the first one played (1969, 1972, 1973), and in 5 World Series (1957, 1960, 1966, 1971, 1977). He also worked in 6 All-Star Games: 1957, 1960 (both games), 1964, 1973 and 1978. After retiring from the field in 1978, he became an assistant league supervisor of umpires. Among his noteworthy games were Sandy Koufax's final game in the 1966 Series; "10¢ Beer Night" [1] in Cleveland in 1974, where it was necessary for him to declare a forfeit due to constant fighting which spread onto the field and which saw Chylak hit over the head with a chair; and the first major league game ever played in Toronto, in 1977, for which he was the home plate umpire.

Chylak died of a heart attack at age 59 in Dunmore, Pennsylvania. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999.

Quotes

  • "I umpired for 25 years and can honestly say I never called one wrong in my heart. The way I see it, an umpire must be perfect on the first day of the season and then get better every day."
  • "Ballplayers will cheat under any circumstances if they think they can get away with it. Our job is to prevent it."
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