14 Facts About Chris Pelekoudas

Christos George Pelekoudas was an American umpire in Major League Baseball who worked in the National League from 1960 to 1975.

Chris Pelekoudas had an unsuccessful tryout with the St Louis Cardinals as a player in 1934.

Chris Pelekoudas began umpiring while serving as an Army Special Services officer during World War II, and eventually worked his way up to the National League after stops in the Eastern Shore, Interstate, Western and Pacific Coast Leagues.

Chris Pelekoudas worked in the World Series in 1966 and 1972, serving as crew chief the second time, and in the All-Star Game in 1961,1967 and 1975.

Chris Pelekoudas officiated in the National League Championship Series in 1969 and 1973.

Chris Pelekoudas umpired in a total of six no-hitters, although was not behind the plate for any of them.

Chris Pelekoudas was forced to retire after the 1975 season, due to then-limits that Major League Baseball had on umpires' ages.

Chris Pelekoudas was the home plate umpire when Willie Mays hit four home runs on April 30,1961.

Chris Pelekoudas was the third base umpire when Sandy Koufax pitched his second no-hitter on May 11,1963, and was the first base umpire for Koufax's perfect game on September 9,1965.

Chris Pelekoudas was the third base umpire for the first game ever held at Shea Stadium, played on April 17,1964.

Chris Pelekoudas is perhaps best remembered for ordering an apparent Hank Aaron home run nullified on August 18,1965, because Aaron stepped out of the batter's box when he made contact; the umpire had warned Aaron on the previous two pitches.

Chris Pelekoudas married Jane Papangellin on April 28,1946, and they had a daughter and a son.

Chris Pelekoudas's brother Perry was an umpire, working in the minor leagues.

Chris Pelekoudas, who lived in Sunnyvale, California, for most of his career, died there due to heart failure at age 66, three weeks after suffering a stroke.