If the Bombs Go Off

Jack Stafford

John E. "Jack" Stafford (1879 – May 19, 1946) was a professional baseball umpire. Stafford, who was born in Portland, New Brunswick (now Saint John), Canada, in 1879, umpired a single game in the National League in 1906, and then umpired 131 games in the American League in 1907. He issued five ejections during his career, including future Hall of Fame inductee Sam Crawford in May 1907.Stafford reportedly lost his major league umpiring job following a disagreement with Philadelphia Athletics manager Connie Mack. Stafford was directed to stop umpiring in September 1907 by American League president Ban Johnson, days after umpiring a four-game series between Philadelphia and Boston. Stafford's position was taken by former umpire (and former player) Tom Brown for … more »