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Baseball History: Cal Hubbard Enters Second Hall of Fame

By David Hill |
KISSIMMEE, FL - JANUARY 27: Umpire masks line a bench at the indoor batting cages during the Jim Evans Academy of Professional Umpiring on January 27, 2011 at the Houston Astros Spring Training Complex in Kissimmee, Florida. Jim Evans was a Major League Umpire for 28 years that included umpiring four World Series. Many of his students have gone on to work on all levels of baseball including the Major Leagues. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
KISSIMMEE, FL - JANUARY 27: Umpire masks line a bench at the indoor batting cages during the Jim Evans Academy of Professional Umpiring on January 27, 2011 at the Houston Astros Spring Training Complex in Kissimmee, Florida. Jim Evans was a Major League Umpire for 28 years that included umpiring four World Series. Many of his students have gone on to work on all levels of baseball including the Major Leagues. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Cal Hubbard was not only one of the better umpires in baseball history, but he was also a stellar offensive tackle for the Packers and the Giants. On this day in 1976, he became the first person inducted into both the Pro Football and the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame.

Umpires have a fairly difficult job. Not only are they expected to get every call on the field right, but they are expected to keep calm in the midst of chaos. Meanwhile, players and fans alike are going to second guess every call that goes against them. It is a difficult job, and one that is often scrutinized by everyone watching.

Even the best umpires will have those players and managers that try to get under their skin and force them to see things a certain way. Having an imposing presence on the diamond is one great way to stop those possibly aggressive arguments, and to command immediate respect. That was certainly the case for umpire Cal Hubbard.

Prior to his days as an umpire, Hubbard was an all pro tackle and end for the New York Giants and the Green Bay Packers. Playing a position that was similar to the modern day linebacker, Hubbard was an anomaly for his time, one of the few players over six feet tall who could run down anyone. his defenses were amongst the best in NFL history, making him a part of the first NFL Hall of Fame class in 1963.

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Even while he was playing in the NFL, Hubbard was considering life after the game. He began umpiring in the minors in 1928, and was called up to the majors in 1936. Hubbard quickly established himself as one of the best umpires in the game, and was selected to work the 1938 World Series. In his 15 year career, he was  part of four World Series and three All Star Games.

After a hunting accident cost him the sight in one eye, he moved on to be an assistant supervisor for umpires, before earning the top spot. He also changed the way the game was called, adding a fourth official and giving them specific duties. In doing so, he brought forth the modern way that a game is called.

Those contributions to the game led to his enshrinement in Cooperstown in 1976. He became the fifth umpire in baseball history to be so immortalized at the time, honored for his skill and innovations. In doing so, he became the first person to be enshrined in both the NFL and MLB Halls of Fame. Hubbard had also been enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame, making him the first person to be immortalized in three different Halls.

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Cal Hubbard was an excellent football player, and a great umpire. On this day in 1976, Hubbard was inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame.

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