Al Barlick Biography

Albert Joseph Barlick, born April 2, 1915, served as a National League umpire in Major League Baseball for 28 seasons spanning 1940–1943, 1946–1955, and 1958–1971. Barlick missed two seasons while serving in the United States Coast Guard and two more because of heart problems. Barlick stated he had limited participation in baseball during his youth, though he frequently watched games. After playing outfield in semi-pro baseball, he was hired as an umpire for the Class-D Northeast Arkansas League for the final four weeks of the 1936 season. In 1937, he joined the Class-B Piedmont League and moved to the Eastern League in 1939, later being promoted to the International League that same year. At age 26, Barlick accepted a contract for the 1941 season, becoming one of the youngest individuals to begin a career as an MLB umpire. He was selected to officiate the 1942 All-Star Game, which was held at the Polo Grounds.