7 Best Umpires in MLB History, Ranked

The best umpires are consistent in their ball and strike calls and tend to avoid controversy. Longevity is also a factor I considered when evaluating the seven best umpires in big-league history.

An erratic umpire is not what I want to see when I’ve made MLB betting picks on a game. It becomes unpredictable for hitters and pitchers, and can lead to frustration for both teams. 

7 Best Umpires in MLB History, Ranked

Who Are the Greatest Major League Baseball Umpires Ever?

1. Bill Klem

Bill Klem is second all-time in regular-season games umpired and has umpired in 18 World Series, which is 10 more than anyone else. 

Alongside being one of the first umpires inducted into the Hall of Fame, Klem is one of two umpires to have worked in five different decades.

2. Bruce Froemming

Bruce Froemming holds the record for the most NLCS umpired. 

Only five umpires have overseen more playoff games than Froemming, and he’s third all-time in regular-season games officiated. He was also the home plate umpire for a record 11 no-hitters.

3. Joe West

Joe West has umpired the most games in MLB history.

Often involved in disputes with players, West was unafraid to eject players or managers, which was a factor to consider when evaluating the baseball betting markets if West was the crew chief. 

4. Al Barlick

Al Barlick is tied for the most All-Star games umpired with seven. 

Barlick has also umpired in seven World Series. Having reached the majors at only 25 years old in 1940, he continued umpiring in the big leagues until 1971. 

5. Doug Harvey

Inducted to the Hall of Fame in 2010, Doug Harvey is sixth all-time in games umpired and is tied with Barlick and Bill Summers for the most All-Star games officiated. 

Renowned for enforcing the pace of play, Harvey was named as the second-greatest umpire in MLB history by the Society for American Baseball Research in 1999.

6. Mike Reilly

Just five umpires have officiated more ALCS/NLCS games than Mike Reilly. Reilly umpired in the World Series in 1984, 1992, 2002, and 2007, and was given All-Star duties on four occasions. 

Following the retirement of Ed Montague in 2010, he became MLB’s most experienced active umpire. 

7. Hank O’Day

Umpire in 10 World Series and behind the plate for four no-hitters, Hank O’Day forever has a place in baseball’s history books. 

Nicknamed “The Reverend,” he is second all-time in games as a home plate umpire. Klem is the only umpire to have officiated in more World Series.