Major League Baseball Umpire. From 1972 until 1999, he officiated contests in the National League. Pulli will perhaps be best remembered as the first umpire to utilize instant replay to rule on a play. He was an athlete during his high school years, as he participated in both baseball and basketball. He later focused on baseball but turned to umpiring and got his start calling balls and strikes in the Mid West, Eastern and International Leagues during the 1960s. His tenure in Major League Baseball saw him officiate in six National League Championship Series (1975, 1979, 1986, 1991, 1993 and 1997) and four World Series (1978, 1983, 1995 and 1990). Additionally, he worked two All-Star Games (1977 and 1988). During a game in 1999 between the Florida Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals, Pulli ruled on a play with the aid of instant replay viewed from a TV monitor. The ruling reversed a call that was originally thought to be a home run to a double. Pulli was among many umpires who lost their jobs after a mass resignation in 1999, however he remained in the sport as a supervisor of Major League Umpires. A footnote to his career. He was serving as the first base umpire during the game in which Hank Aaron hit his historic 715 home run which passed Babe Ruth on the all-time career list in Atlanta on April 8th 1974. Pulli died of complication from Parkinson's disease.
Major League Baseball Umpire. From 1972 until 1999, he officiated contests in the National League. Pulli will perhaps be best remembered as the first umpire to utilize instant replay to rule on a play. He was an athlete during his high school years, as he participated in both baseball and basketball. He later focused on baseball but turned to umpiring and got his start calling balls and strikes in the Mid West, Eastern and International Leagues during the 1960s. His tenure in Major League Baseball saw him officiate in six National League Championship Series (1975, 1979, 1986, 1991, 1993 and 1997) and four World Series (1978, 1983, 1995 and 1990). Additionally, he worked two All-Star Games (1977 and 1988). During a game in 1999 between the Florida Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals, Pulli ruled on a play with the aid of instant replay viewed from a TV monitor. The ruling reversed a call that was originally thought to be a home run to a double. Pulli was among many umpires who lost their jobs after a mass resignation in 1999, however he remained in the sport as a supervisor of Major League Umpires. A footnote to his career. He was serving as the first base umpire during the game in which Hank Aaron hit his historic 715 home run which passed Babe Ruth on the all-time career list in Atlanta on April 8th 1974. Pulli died of complication from Parkinson's disease.
Bio by: C.S.
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