Phil Cuzzi
Philip Cuzzi (born August 29, 1955) is an American professional baseball umpire. He worked as a reserve umpire in the National League from 1991 to 1993 and returned to the NL in 1999. Since 2000, he has worked in both major leagues. Cuzzi wore number 99 when his career started; now he wears number 10. As of 2015, Cuzzi's fellow crew members are Gerry Davis (crew chief), Tony Randazzo, and Will Little. Cuzzi has worked six Division Series, two League Championship Series, one All-Star Game, and one Wild Card Game.
Career
Minor league umpiring
Cuzzi appeared in the New York-Penn League, Carolina League, South Atlantic League, Southern League, Triple-A Alliance, International League, American Association, Florida State League and Eastern League before his full-time promotion to the major leagues in 1999.[1]
Cuzzi's umpiring career temporarily came to a halt in 1993. Although he had advanced to Class AAA baseball and served as an MLB reserve umpire, by that year there were no full-time major league slots for Cuzzi and he was released. Cuzzi subsequently worked as a substitute teacher and bartender. While working at a hotel bar in 1996, he had a chance meeting with NL president Len Coleman, who allowed him to resume umpiring if he would work his way back up from the low minor leagues.[2]
Major league career
Cuzzi was the plate umpire for a game between the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays on August 29, 2000.[3] During the game, eight members of the Rays were ejected, but no Boston players were thrown out, something that reportedly had never happened before.[4]
On April 16, 2009, Cuzzi was the first base umpire for the first game ever at the new Yankee Stadium.[5]
Cuzzi has worked the Wild Card Game in 2013 and the Division Series in 2003, 2004, 2009, 2012, and 2015. He has umpired in the National League Championship Series in 2005 and 2014. He also worked the All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium in 2008.
In Game 1 of the 2015 National League Division Series between the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals, Cuzzi's wide strike zone was criticized by some Cubs players and media for contributing to their 4-0 loss.[6][7]
Cuzzi has umpired in at least three MLB no-hitters. He was behind the plate for Bud Smith's no-hitter on September 3, 2001[1] and for Cole Hamels' no-hitter on July 25, 2015.[8] He was the third base umpire when San Francisco Giants pitcher Jonathan Sánchez no-hit the San Diego Padres on July 10, 2009.[9]
Controversy
Cuzzi has been known to have made several blown calls throughout his career as an umpire. During the 2009 ALDS between the Minnesota Twins and the New York Yankees, Joe Mauer hit a ball that landed eight inches in front of the left field foul line. Cuzzi called it a foul ball, denying Joe Mauer of a ground rule double. This call proved to be costly as the Twins lost the game 4-3.
Personal life
Cuzzi lives in New Jersey with his wife Gilda. He attended Belleville High School, where he played baseball and football.[1]
See also
References
- ^ a b c "Umpires: Roster - Phil Cuzzi". MLB.com. Retrieved July 26, 2012.
- ^ "Ump gets second chance". The Augusta Chronicle. Associated Press. June 11, 1999. Retrieved July 27, 2012.
- ^ "Retrosheet Boxscore: Boston Red Sox 8, Tampa Bay Devil Rays 0". Retrosheet.org. Retrieved January 11, 2013.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Stark, Jayson. "Brawls, ejections ... and a near no-hitter". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 11, 2013.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Yankees open new stadium with blowout loss to Indians ESPN.com. Retrieved July 26, 2012
- ^ "Cubs' offense stall in Game 1 loss as wide zone hampers approach - Chicago Cubs Blog - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2015-10-13.
- ^ "Playoff Umps Are Screwing Up A Tenth Of Balls And Strikes". FiveThirtyEight. Retrieved 2015-10-13.
- ^ MLB - Boxscore - Phillies v Cubs _ Philly
- ^ Sanchez makes most of opportunity, throws no-hitter in front of father ESPN.com. Retrieved July 26, 2012.