Don January

Donald Leo January

• Height 6' 0", Weight 180 lb.

• October 13, 1945 in Lynn, MA USA

Biographical Information

Don January served as a replacement umpire in the National League in 1991 and 1995. The first year, he worked on opening day after a labor action by the regular umpires in spring training was only settled immediately before the start of the season, not giving enough time for the regular umpiring crews to take their scheduled assignments. He then returned for 6 games at the start of the 1995 season, during a strike by the regular umpires.

On May 2, 1995, he was working home plate in a game between the Montreal Expos and the New York Mets at Shea Stadium, when he called the Expos for batting out of turn. Expos manager Felipe Alou, usually very mild mannered and respectful of umpires, was livid when January told him he had not properly executed a double switch, and was ejected after an argument. It was the last game that January worked in the majors.

Related Sites

• Don January on Retrosheet.org