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Nestor Chylak




He was born in Olyphant , 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 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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