Dale Ford

Note: This page discusses umpire Dale Ford. For the minor league player of the same name, click here.

Robert Dale Ford

• Height 6' 0", Weight 190 lb.
• School East Tennessee State University

• Born July 6, 1942 in Jonesborough, TN USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Dale Ford began his career in the Florida State League in 1970. He moved to the Southern League in 1972, the American Association from 1973 to mid-1975, and the American League in mid-1975. He worked the 1988 All-Star Game and 1999 All-Star Game. He lost his job in 1999 when he was part of the mass resignation of umpires, led by the Major League Umpires Association and Richie Phillips. Unlike some of the umps, Ford was not rehired, preferring to accept a severance package and retiring when a settlement was eventually reached in 2004. He later became a Republican state legislator in Tennessee.

Related Sites

• Dale Ford at Retrosheet.org
• Sporting News umpire card