With the new season right around the corner, Major League Baseball is mourning the loss of one of its most respected and longest-serving umpires. Bruce Froemming has passed away at 86, his family confirmed.

Froemming was not just another name behind the plate. He was one of the most experienced umpires in league history. Over an incredible 37 consecutive seasons beginning in 1971, he worked 5,163 MLB games, the third-most by a big-league umpire. That level of longevity and consistency is rare in any era, and it earned him deep respect throughout the sport.

As news of his passing spread, tributes poured in from across the baseball world. Players, teams, and fellow umpires all took a moment to honor a man who had become a true fixture of the game.

“BREAKING: Legendary Major League Umpire Bruce Froemming Dies At 86,” ArtVoice shared via X.

According to Froemming’s sons, he suffered a fall at his home in Wisconsin on Tuesday, hitting his head on the hardwood floor. He was taken to a hospital in Milwaukee, but sadly, doctors couldn’t stop the brain bleed. Froemming had been on blood thinners, which complicated things even more.

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Now, while the loss hurts, it’s also a moment to reflect on just how much of baseball history he was part of. Notably, Bruce Froemming was behind the plate for some unforgettable performances. This includes calling no-hitters by Milt Pappas in 1972, Ed Halicki in 1975, Nolan Ryan in 1981, and José Jiménez in 1999. That alone tells you the kind of eras he spanned and the legends he shared the field with.

He also worked five World Series: 1976, 1984, 1988, 1990, and 1995, and a record 10 National League Championship Series. And eventually, his decorated career came to an end when Froemming umpired his final big-league game on Sept. 30, 2007, but even that isn’t really goodbye. After retiring, he stayed connected to the game, serving as a special assistant to MLB’s vice president of umpiring.

So, with that kind of resume, Froemming was practically an institution in himself. And at a time when the spotlight on umpires is brighter than ever, with debates over blown calls and the growing conversation around the ABS, his respected presence and decades of experience will certainly be missed.

Tributes pouring in for Bruce Froemming

Fans are still in awe of Froemming’s record-setting career. “Bruce Froemming, record-setting major league umpire, dies at age 86. RIP Bruce,” one fan said. “Sad to hear about the passing of longtime major league umpire Bruce Froemming. He was 86,” The Athletic’s Evan Thompson added.

So yes, Froemming was all about breaking records. For instance, through 2007, he held the record for officiating the most consecutive seasons as an MLB umpire (37). His total of 11 no-hitters remains an all-time MLB record for an umpire. Hence, losing him means losing a part of MLB history.

For some, Bruce Froemming was part of their childhood. “Wow. Bruce Froemming WAS umpiring to me. He was umpiring MLB games when I was first old enough to watch, and still doing it as I prepared to enter my 40s,” one user remarked. “A true diamond legend. Bruce Froemming was the definition of consistency and authority on the field. MLB won’t be the same without his legacy,” another added.

Froemming’s career spanned so long that a generation that started watching baseball when he was officiating is now entering its forties. Surely, Froemming is also part of baseball nostalgia. He was also known for his no-nonsense personality on the field.

He had several run-ins with outspoken players over the years, including Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson. In one heated exchange, Jackson argued balls and strikes, which led to a quick ejection. “RIP Bruce Froemming. Truly one of the last of the real character umpires. We need not just more umpires like him, but more people throughout the game. I sincerely hope MLB eventually understands this and lets true characters back into our great game,” one user agreed.

So, as MLB passes through a transition phase in which umpiring is becoming more automated and the human element is shrinking, Bruce Froemming stands as a true-blue baseball purist.