12 Facts About Brick Owens

Brick Owens officiated in the World Series in 1918,1922,1925,1928 and 1934, serving as crew chief for the last two Series.

Brick Owens worked the All-Star Game in 1934, calling balls and strikes for the game's second half.

Brick Owens's family moved to Chicago the following year, and he continued to umpire games for 50 cents each; he soon raised his rate to $1 a game, and upon being noticed by minor league executive Al Tearney, became an umpire in major local contests for $5 a game.

Brick Owens acquired his nickname after a game in Pittsburg, Kansas in which an unpopular call instigated fans to begin throwing bricks from the stands, with one hitting Owens in the head; when he miraculously returned days later with no serious injury, a player named Charley Lyons gave him the nickname, which he said he found more acceptable than some other things he had been called.

The next day, Brick Owens was the target of fans throwing eggs and cabbages from the stands, and a mob followed him to his hotel, which they threatened to attack if he was not turned over; police had to evacuate him over the rooftops and to the railway station.

Brick Owens, who had started the game umpiring first base, had taken over home plate duties after Brennan's season-ending injury in the first inning.

Brennan and Brick Owens were both hospitalized overnight at St John's hospital.

Brick Owens is perhaps best known for umpiring the game of June 23,1917, in which Babe Ruth was the starting pitcher for the Boston Red Sox.

Ruth walked the first batter for the Washington Senators in four pitches, and was promptly ejected by Brick Owens for disputing his calls; Ruth was so incensed by the ejection that he punched Brick Owens.

Brick Owens was the home plate umpire in the game where Ray Caldwell got struck by lightning.

Brick Owens died at age 64 in Chicago after suffering a heart attack at the wholesale meat distributor where he had worked as a salesman since leaving baseball.

Brick Owens was buried in Fairmount-Willow Hills Memorial Park in Willow Springs, Illinois.