70 WS Broadcast

[Steven Tyler]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

The umpire working the plate was the late Billy Williams. He wore the NL inside chest protector. There were no West Vests back then and everything was soft padded. His protector if I recall was similar or the same as the one Durwood Merrill wore, with tuck and roll overstuffed padding.

So you're saying Durwood Merrill, an AL umpire wore a NL chest protecter. I didn't know there was a difference. I've had the pleasure of talking to ole' Durwood a couple times. If you're ever out in east Texas around the small town of Hooks, look him up. He'll sit down and talk your ear off.

The funniest thing he ever told me was how Augie Donatelli thought he was such a great umpire, but he really wasn't. That story was a long time ago, but it still makes me laugh to this day.