Stark, Dolly

Albert Stark

Dolly worked his way out of a poverty-stricken childhood on the Lower East Side -- he was homeless at the age of seven -- to become one of the most celebrated umpires in baseball from 1927 until 1940, when his knee gave out and he was carried off the field. But his mobility on the field changed the way baseball was umpired; and he won more adulation for his work than any ump except the legendary Bill Klem. When he finally retired, he became a successful designer of women's clothes, known for the originality of his "Dolly Stark" dress! He was also, for 12 years, the successful coach of the Dartmouth basketball team.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. November 4, 1897 - d. August 1968

Career Highlights:
His career began when, after a failed tryout with the Washington Senators, he started umpiring in the Eastern League -- and was so outstanding that he was in the National League in three weeks! Dolly was so admired by everyone that he was an easy winner of a Sporting News poll on umpires in 1934-35. There was even a "day" to honor him, at the Polo Grounds: they gave him a car, and thousands of fans actually cheered an umpire! During the game, however, the cheers turned to boos as Stark called a strike on Giants star Mel Ott. Ott turned to Dolly, which ignited the boobirds in the stands. When Ott was called out looking on the next pitch, he said something to Stark on his way to the bench, and the home crowd showered Dolly with abuse. Stark later explained: "Mel knew they were both strikes. The first time he said, `Dolly, I'd give ten bucks to have that one back.' The second time he said, `How can I take two beautiful pitches like that in a row?'"

Career Dates:
1927-1940

Position:
Umpire

Physical description:


Career Statistics:

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