Lanny Harris

Lanny Harris
Born	Lanny Dean Harris (1940-02-21)February 21, 1940 Greens Fork, Indiana, U.S.
Died	June 26, 1991(1991-06-26) (aged 51) Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
Occupation	Umpire
Years active	1979–1985
Employer	National League

Lanny Dean Harris (February 21, 1940 – June 16, 1991) was an American Major League Baseball umpire who worked in the National League from 1979 to 1985, wearing uniform number 29 during his career. Harris umpired 851 Major League games.[1]

MLB career

Harris was promoted to the National League during the umpire strike of 1979, one of eight umpires promoted to the major leagues at that time. He was discharged by the NL in 1985.[2]

While in the majors, Harris felt the repercussions of having entered the league during the strike. After being hit in the throat by a foul ball during a 1979 game, Harris was examined by a trainer while his three veteran partners did not move from their positions in the field.[3]

Notable games

Harris was thrown to the ground in a brawl involving Mario Soto and Claudell Washington in a 1984 Reds-Braves game.[4]

Death

Harris died from a brain tumor in Indianapolis in 1991 at age 51.

References

1. Retrosheet
2. "Firing of major league ump doesn't happen every day". Lawrence Journal-World. May 5, 1988. Retrieved August 20, 2012.
3. Swift, E.M. (August 20, 1979). "Odd Man Out On The Diamond". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
4. "Soto faces suspension". The New York Times. June 19, 1984. Retrieved August 20, 2012.