During his twenty seasons in the National League Crawford umpired more than 3,100 games

He was the home plate umpire during one of the most violent brawls in baseball history!

(1916-2007) Born Henry Charles "Shag" Crawford, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, growing up, he played baseball and football, and was involved in boxing, and later played in the minor leagues as a catcher in the Philadelphia Phillies system. He served in the United States Navy during World War II, and was on the destroyer USS Walke (DD-723) when its bridge was struck by a Japanese kamikaze on January 6, 1945, during the invasion of Luzon, in which commanding officer George Fleming Davis was killed. He was a professional umpire in Major League Baseball, and worked in the National League from 1956 to 1975. During his twenty seasons in the National League, Crawford worked more than 3,100 games, and as a home plate umpire he was notable for getting in a low crouch and resting his hands on the back of the catcher. Crawford was the third base umpire for Sandy Koufax's third no-hitter on June 4, 1964. He was the home plate umpire when one of the most violent brawls in baseball history occurred during a game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants, at Candlestick Park, on August 22, 1965. The incident occurred between Giants pitcher Juan Marichal, and Dodgers catcher John Roseboro in the aftermath of the Watts riots near Roseboro's Los Angeles home, and while the Dominican Civil War raged in Marichal's home country, so emotions were raw. During the heat of the game, several players were knocked to the ground by brush back pitches from both teams. When Juan Marichal came up to bat in the 3rd inning, he thought that Roseboro purposely tried to hit him in the head when his return throw back to Sandy Koufax whistled by his ear. Marichal took exception, and confronted Roseboro about the closeness of his throw, and Roseboro came out of his crouch with his fists clenched, and charged towards Marichal who thought John Roseboro was about to attack him. Marichal then raised his bat, striking Roseboro at least twice over the head with his bat, opening a two-inch gash that sent blood flowing down the catcher's face that required 14 stitches. A 14-minute brawl ensued on the field before Koufax, Giants captain Willie Mays, and other peacemakers restored order. Crawford ejected Marichal from the game, and afterwards, National League president Warren Giles suspended Marichal for eight games, and fined him $1,750.00, which at that time was a National League record fine. During Crawford's celebrated career, he officiated three World Series; 1961, 1963, and 1969, ejecting Baltimore Orioles manager Earl Weaver in Game 4 of the 1969 Series for arguing balls and strikes, the first managerial ejection in World Series competition since 1935. He also umpired two National League Championship Series; 1971 and 1974, and umpired in the MLB All-Star Games of 1959, 1961, and 1968; working home plate in the 1968 game. Two of Shag Crawford's sons, Jerry Crawford, and Joey Crawford, also became professional sports officials. Jerry was a National League umpire from 1976 until 2010, and Joey was a National Basketball Association referee from 1977 to 2016. Shag Crawford worked the first game at Philadelphia Phillies Veterans Stadium in 1971, and stood with his son Jerry at home plate when the lineup cards were presented before the final game at the ballpark in 2003.

Card Signature: 5 x 3, in ink, nice large bold autograph, Shag Crawford. Excellent. Very desirable MLB signature.