Paul Pryor

John Paul Pryor

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 2", Weight 220 lbs.
• School High Point College, University of South Dakota

• Born July 10, 1927 in Woonsocket, RI USA
• Died December 15, 1995 in St. Petersburg, FL USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Paul Pryor was a pitcher in the minor leagues from 1945 to 1948 and 1953, but appeared in more than 10 games only 3 times. His overall record was 9-17.

Pryor was then an umpire in the Tri-State League (1953), Carolina League (1954-June 1959), South Atlantic League (June 1959-1960), and American Association (1961). He was a National League umpire from September 1961 to 1981.

When the Major League Umpires Association went on strike at the beginning of the 1979 season, Pryor and Ted Hendry were the only members who had already signed a contract to work that season. Pryor apparently was not on good terms with fellow umpires at the time, and either did not know of their plans to hold out, or did not want to go along. Officially, he stated that he needed the money. Hendry was a first-year umpire, so he was not part of the union action. Fellow umpires then leaked out word that he was the lowest-rated member of the profession, and that as a result his breaking of solidarity was of no concern. Clearly uncomfortable with being put in the spotlight, he immediately tried to join the strikers, but MLB forced him to give 10 days' notice before he could do so.

He returned to the fold when the strike was settled and worked until the end of the 1981 season, having worked over 3,000 games. He worked four National League Championship Series, three World Series (in 1967, 1973 and 1980) and three All-Star Games, including being the home plate umpire in the 1978 All-Star Game.

Further Reading

• Associated Press: "Pryor ordered back to work", The St. Petersburg Times, April 9, 1979 [1]

Related Sites

• Paul Pryor at Retrosheet.org
• Sporting News umpire card