Former MLB Umpire Derryl Cousins Dead at 74

As MLB begins its 2020 World Series, the umpiring community mourns the loss of former AL and MLB umpire Derryl Cousins, who died at the age of 74, one year after baseball lost Eric Cooper during the 2019 postseason.

Born on August 18, 1946 in Fresno, California, Cousins presided over 4,496 regular season contests, five Division Series, seven League Championship Series, three World Series, and three All-Star Games, in addition to serving as crew chief for the 2009 World Baseball Classic in Los Angeles during his 34-year major league career.

During his time officiating in the majors from 1979 through 2012, Cousins ejected 123 players, coaches, and managers, ranging from Whitey Herzog and Reggie Jackson in the 1970s and 1980s to Joe Maddon, Lou Piniella, and Tony LaRussa in the 2000s (Bobby Cox: three times).

At the time of his retirement, Cousins was the active staff leader in games worked and his umpiring partnership with Joe Brinkman still holds the record for most games officiated as crew partners in major league history (2,123 games).

Cooper, who passed away on October 20, 2019, and Cousins, whose death comes one year later, served on the same crew during the mid-2000s, when Cousins chiefed a foursome that included Angel Hernandez, Cooper, and Marty Foster.

Related Post: Eric Cooper Dies at 52 Following Blood Clot (10/20/19).

Cousins' uniform number 13 is currently worn by umpire Todd Tichenor, who is officiating his first career World Series in 2020.

Derryl Cousins Arrested in Arizona for Extreme DUI

Retired MLB umpire Derryl Cousins was arrested in Arizona last week on suspicion of extreme DUI, reports the Los Angeles Daily News. Cousins graduated from the LA-area El Segundo High School and El Camino College.

Former MLBU Derryl Cousins in 2009

According to a police report filed in Scottsdale, AZ, Cousins was driving slowly and drifting over lane dividers in downtown at 2:22 a.m. on March 18. The report states that Cousins registered a blood alcohol reading .220 at the scene and subsequently blew a BAC as high as .231 at the booking station, which is nearly four times over the legal limit. According to Arizona state law, this qualifies for the charge of extreme DUI; Cousins was released on $2,000 bail and will be assigned a future court date. Extreme DUI is classified as a misdemeanor.

The officer noted that Cousins was polite throughout the traffic stop, arrest and booking process, stating, "I'm a law-abiding citizen, I've just been drinking too much."

Cousins retired from baseball in 2013 following 34 years of Major League service and 4,496 MLB games worked. The veteran crew chief officiated 3 All-Star Games, 5 Division Series, 7 League Championship Series and 3 World Series; he ejected 118 players, coaches and managers in his time on the field.

News: Retired MLB umpire Derryl Cousins arrested on Extreme DUI in Arizona (LA Daily News)

Confirmed: 3 MLB Umps Hired, 3 Retired, 3 New Crew Chiefs

Confirmed: 2013 will feature three new MLB umpires & three new crew chiefs. The retirement of three long-time arbiters, all chiefs, has also been confirmed. The UEFL's hiring rumor post from January 10 may be seen here. The initial rumor was confirmed by Honig's Whistle Stop, which is in attendence at the annual pre-season MLB umpire meetings in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Hired: Vic Carapazza, Manny Gonzalez, Alan Porter.
Retired: Derryl Cousins, Ed Rapuano, Tim Tschida.
Promoted to Crew Chief: Ted Barrett, Fieldin Culbreth, Jim Joyce

Hires
Vic Carapazza (Palm Harbor, Florida), completed his 4th full year in Triple-A in 2012 as a member of the International League (IL). Prior to joining the Pacific Coast League (PCL) in 2008, Carpazza worked the Gulf Coast, Florida Instructional, New York-Penn, Midwest, Florida State, Arizona Instructional, Eastern, Arizona Fall and Dominican Leagues. An MLB fill-in since 2010, his first season was 2003, working the FL Instructional and Gulf Coast Leagues.

Manny Gonzalez (Valencia, Venezuela), completed his 5th full year in Triple-A in 2012 as a member of the IL. Prior to joining the IL in 2008, Gonzalez worked the Gulf Coast, New York-Penn, South Atlantic, Florida State, Texas, Southern and Arizona Fall Leagues. An MLB fill-in since 2010, his first season was 2002, working the Gulf Coast Lg. He is the first native Venezuelan MLB umpire.

Alan Porter (Warminster, Pennsylvania), completed his 5th full year in Triple-A in 2012 as a member of the IL. Prior to joining the IL in 2008, Porter worked the Gulf Coast, New York-Penn, South Atlantic, Florida Instructional, Carolina, Arizona Instructional, Eastern and Arizona Fall Leagues. An MLB fill-in since 2010, his first season was 2002, working the Gulf Coast Lg. Porter was the UEFL's 2012 Fill-In Umpire of the Year.

Retirees
Derryl Cousins (Southern California), 34 years of MLB service after joining the Major League staff in 1979, which rivals only veteran arbiter and National Baseball Hall of Famer Bill Klem's 37-year career, while his 4,496 MLB games worked at the conclusion of the 2012 season was the most of all active big league umpires. Cousins worked 3 All-Star Games, 5 Division Series, 7 League Championship Series and 3 World Series. Cousins was an initial hire from the Pacific Coast League. Cousins concludes his career with 118 MLB ejections.

Ed Rapuano (Florida), 22.5 years of MLB service after joining the Major League staff in 1991. Rapuano worked 2 All-Star Games, 8 Division Series, 5 League Championship Series and 2 World Series. Rapuano was an initial hire from the Triple-A Alliance and will remain with MLB as an umpire supervisor. Rapuano concludes his career with 47 MLB ejections.

Tim Tschida (Wisconsin), 27 years of MLB service after joining the Major League staff in 1986. Tschida worked 2 All-Star Games, 10 Division Series (tied with Gerry Davis and Bruce Froemming), 3 League Championship Series and 3 World Series. Tschida was an initial hire from the American Association. Tschida concludes his career with 85 MLB ejections.

Promoted to Crew Chief
Ted Barrett (Arizona), 16 years of MLB service after joining the Major League staff in 1999. Barrett has worked 1 All-Star Game, 1 Wild-Card Game, 7 Division Series, 5 League Championship Series and 2 World Series. Hired from the Pacific Coast League, Barrett presently holds 52 career MLB ejections and was the UEFL's 2012 Honorable Umpire of the Year (with Joyce).

Fieldin Culbreth (South Carolina), 16 years of MLB service after joining the Major League staff in 1999. Culbreth has worked 1 All-Star Game, 5 Division Series, 6 League Championship Series and 2 World Series. Culbreth was initially a hire from the International League (by way of the Pacific Coast League). Culbreth presently holds 33 career MLB ejections.

Jim Joyce (Oregon), 25 years of MLB service after joining the Major League Staff in 1989. Joyce has worked 3 All-Star Games, 9 Division Series, 4 League Championship Series and 2 World Series and served as an interim crew chief during the 2012 season. Joyce was initially a hire from the Pacific Coast League (by way of the International League). Joyce presently holds 66 career MLB ejections (coincidentally, his uniform number) and was the UEFL's 2012 Honorable Umpire of the Year (with Barrett).

Ejection 082: Derryl Cousins (2)

HP Umpire Derryl Cousins ejected Miami Marlins catcher John Buck for arguing a swinging strike three call in the top of the 6th inning of the Marlins-Brewers game. With two out and one on, Marlins batter John Buck attempted to check his swing on a 3-2 slider from Brewers pitcher Zack Greinke, but was ruled to have swung by Cousins. Replays indicate that Buck successfully checked his swing, the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Marlins were leading, 5-3. The Brewers ultimately won the contest, 6-5.

This is Derryl Cousins' (13) second ejection of 2012.
Derryl Cousins now has 2 points in the UEFL (4 Previous + 2 MLB + -4 Incorrect Call = 2).
Crew Chief Derryl Cousins now has 1 point in the Crew Division (1 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 1).
*After review, Quality of Correctness has been affirmed by the UEFL Appeals Board (3-2).
*Historical Appeals Board decisions may be consulted via the UEFL Portal.*

UEFL Standings Update

This is the 82nd ejection of 2012.
This is the 32nd player ejection of 2012.
This is John Buck's first ejection of 2012.
This is John Buck's first ejection since July 4, 2011 (Kerwin Danley; QOC = Incorrect).
This is Derryl Cousins' first ejection since May 11 (Steve Smith; QOC = Correct).
The Marlins are fourth in the NL East with two ejections (NYM=4, ATL=3, PHI=3, WAS=0). 

Wrap: Marlins at Brewers 7/2/12
Video: Cousins rules strike three on a swing by Buck; Buck goes ballistic, gets ejected

Umpire Odds & Ends: Seeking Advice on Road to the Show

Umpires Derryl Cousins, Ron Kulpa & Jim Wolf took time out of their pre-game routine to share their umpiring knowledge with prospect Malachi Moore; their visit—which also featured Triple-A call-up Alan Porter—took place about 60 minutes prior to first pitch of an April Braves-Dodgers game at Dodger Stadium. Originally reported by UEFL'er Russ and published online just recently, Moore asks the veteran crew about the home plate umpire's ability to decipher whether a batted ball has hit the batter and whether this contact results in a foul ball or an interference out. (Video)

Aspiring Umpire Malachi Moore

Malachi Moore is a 22-year-old Compton native, who attended MLB's first Urban Youth Academy (UYA) in Southern California. With previous dreams of becoming a professional baseball player, Moore changed course in late 2010 before his sophomore season at El Camino College, squaring his sights on becoming the UYA's first alum to reach the Major League level as an umpire.

After missing the PBUC cut at the Harry Wendelstedt Umpire School in early 2011, Moore attended MLB's one-week November Umpire Camp later that year and returned to Florida. With a UYA umpiring school sponsorship in hand, Moore made the most of his second go-around and was selected for the PBUC evaluation course following the month-long course. Moore was also a 2011 umpire in the Northwoods League.

Back to the Dodger Stadium umpires' dressing room and the umpires are discussing mechanics on a fairly difficult play. Moore's question comes just days after Tim Welke and his crew of Paul Schrieber and Mikes Estabrook and Everitt incorrectly determined a bunted ball did not strike the batter during a Tigers-Rangers game. The resulting RBI bunt single proved to be decisive in the outcome of that particular contest.

As previously reported by the UEFL, Rules 6.05(g) and (h) govern batter's interference.

Ejection 025: Derryl Cousins (1)

HP Umpire Derryl Cousins ejected Indians 3B Coach Steve Smith for arguing an out call in the top of the 2nd inning of the Indians-Red Sox game. With two out and one on, Indians batter Jason Kipnis hit a 2-2 fastball from Red Sox pitcher Clay Buchholz to left fielder Daniel Nava who threw to catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia as Indians runner Jack Hannahan arrived at home plate. Replays indicate Saltalamacchia successfully blocked home plate, Hannahan's foot did not touch it, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Red Sox were leading, 2-1. The Red Sox ultimately won the contest, 7-5.

This is Derryl Cousins' (13) first ejection of 2012.
Derryl Cousins now has 4 points in the UEFL (0 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 4).
Crew Chief Derryl Cousins now has 1 point in the Crew Division (0 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 1).

UEFL Standings Update

This is the 25th ejection of 2012.
This is Steve Smith's first ejection of 2012.
This is the second non-manager, non-player ejection of 2012.

Wrap: Indians at Red Sox 5/11/12
Video: Cousins bangs out Hannahan at the plate, ejects 3rd base coach Steve Smith for arguing
Video: Nava gets Hannahan at the plate with a Saltalamacchia block of the plate

Ejections: Derryl Cousins (2)

3B Umpire Derryl Cousins ejected Brewers right fielder Nyjer Morgan for Fighting - Excess Contact - Unsportsmanlike Conduct in the top of the 9th inning of the Brewers-Cardinals game. With none out and none on, Morgan swung at and missed a 2-2 fastball from Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter for a swinging third strike. This bench clearing ejection is classified as Fighting - Excess Contact - Unsportsmanlike Conduct since Morgan's actions were determined to have caused the incident, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the contest was tied, 0-0. The Cardinals ultimately won the contest, 2-0.

This is Derryl Cousins (13)'s second ejection of 2011.

Derryl Cousins now has 2 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (-2 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 2).

Derryl Cousins was not drafted in 2011.

*This call is correct per UEFL Rule 6.b.ii.e., which governs Unsportsmanlike Conduct and Fighting.

This is the 185th ejection of 2011.
This is the 83rd player ejection of 2011.

Prior to his ejection, Morgan was 1-3 in the contest.

Wrap: Brewers at Cardinals, 9/7/11

Video: Morgan is ejected after the benches clear in St. Louis

Ejections: Derryl Cousins (1)

2B Umpire Derryl Cousins ejected Cubs Manager Mike Quade for arguing a non-interference call in the bottom of the 5th inning of the Cubs-Cardinals game. With three on and one out, Cardinals batter David Freese hit a ground ball to Cubs second basemen Darwin Barney to shortstop Starlin Castro, Cardinals R1 Matt Holiday was forced out at second as he slid into Castro. Cardinals R3 Jon Jay and R2 Albert Pujols scored. Replays indicate that Holiday deliberately interfered with Castro to break up a double play in violation of MLB Rule 7.09, the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the contest was tied, 5-5. The Cardinals ultimately won the contest, 13-5.

This is Derryl Cousins (13)'s first ejection of 2011.
Derryl Cousins now has -2 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (0 Previous + 2 MLB + -4 Incorrect Call = -2)
Derryl Cousins was not drafted in 2011.
*Quality of Correctness was challenged and confirmed ("Incorrect" ==> "Incorrect").

This is the 134th ejection of 2011.
This is the 65th Manager ejection of 2011.
This is Mike Quade's fourth ejection of 2011.

Wrap: Cubs at Cardinals 7/30/11
Video: Quade tossed by Cousins