After Paul Runge moved from playing baseball to calling the game, he launched a 25-year career as a National League umpire. In the process he became one of the most experienced and esteemed umpires in the major leagues, and part of an umpiring dynasty.
Paul Runge moved from being a standout high school ballplayer in San Diego to Arizona State University, and then to the minor league systems of the Houston Colt .45s (later the Houston Astros) and the Los Angeles Angels. After the 1964 season, Runge switched tact, moving slightly further back from his position as catcher to umpire. Paul’s father, Ed Runge was at that time in the middle of a 17-year career as an American League umpire (Item 1.1). Paul’s son, Brian would later become an umpire as well (from 1999-2012), making them the only three-generation umpiring family in MLB history (Item 1.2).
(Item 1.1) American League baseball autographed by Paul Runge’s father, Ed Runge. Ed Runge was an AL umpire from 1954-1970, officiating three World Series, four All-Star games, and one ALCS.
(Item 1.2) Ticket for the June 9, 2006 Toronto Blue Jays game against the Detroit Tigers. Paul Runge’s son, Brian Runge, was the first base umpire for this game. Brian Runge umpired in the MLB from 1999-2012, becoming the first third-generation Major League umpire.
After nine years as a minor league umpire, Paul Runge made his Major League debut toward the end of the 1973 season, joining the National League’s officiating staff on a part time basis. Runge’s first full season was 1974, and it began with a bang! Runge was the third base umpire for his first regular season game in Cincinnati on April 4 as Hank Aaron hit his 714th career home run, tying Babe Ruth’s record in his first at-bat of the season! This game would be the first of many legendary matches Runge would umpire.
Among the many memorable moments Runge officiated throughout his career, there are two that stand out in Canadian Baseball history. On May 10, 1981, Runge was the third base umpire as Expos pitcher, Charlie Lea threw the first no-hitter at Olympic Stadium (and the 3rd in franchise history). Runge was also on the umpiring crew for the 1993 World Series, officiating second base as Joe Carter hit his iconic walk-off home run to win the series for the Blue Jays (Items 2.1 and 2.2).
(Items 2.1 and 2.2) The batting helmet worn by Joe Carter when he hit the walk-off home run that ended the 1993 World Series, and the home plate from that game. Paul Runge was the second base umpire in Game 6.
(Item 3.1) Houston Astros jersey worn by CBHFM inductee Terry Puhl during the 1986 season. The jersey features an arm patch promoting the 1986 All-Star Game in Houston, which Paul Runge umpired. Terry Puhl played in the 1978 All-Star Game, which Runge had also umpired.
(Item 3.2) Oakland Athletics jersey worn by CBHFM inductee Dave McKay during the 1989 World Series. McKay was the Athletics first base coach at the time, while Runge umpired the series, including first base during game one.
Over his career Runge umpired a (then) record nine National League Championship Series (1977, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1990, 1995, 1996), three All-Star games (1978, 1986, and 1994), and four World Series (1979, 1984, 1989, 1993) (Items 3.1 & 3.2). He was also an umpire for two no-hitters (Charlie Lea with the Montreal Expos in 1981, and Mike Scott with the Astros in 1986), and was also umpiring first base on September 28, 1988 when Orel Hershiser broke the MLB’s scoreless innings streak record.
Paul Runge retired from on-field umpiring in 1997, and took up a role as National League Director of Umpires. He served in the position through 1999 until it was eliminated as part of MLB’s reorganization. Runge’s 3,194 regular season games called, along with his 43 National League Championship Series and 22 World Series games ranks him fourth among Canadian Major League umpires in games officiated, with only Bob Emslie, Jim McKean (who he umpired the 1979 World Series with), and Ernie Quigley ahead of him. Runge now joins these fellow Canadian umpires as a member of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.