RIP - Eric Gregg

Former umpire Gregg, 55, dies after stroke
By Jim Salisbury
Inquirer Staff Writer

Eric Gregg, the fun-loving West Philadelphia native who became a popular Major League Baseball umpire, died last night at Lankenau Hospital in Wynnewood after suffering a massive stroke at his Ardmore home Sunday morning. Mr. Gregg was 55.

"He fought all the way," his son, Kevin, said last night. "We heard from so many people around the baseball world today. So many people loved my dad. We're just very thankful for all the support."

Mr. Gregg, who is survived by Conchita, his wife of 31 years, and four children, was a 1968 graduate of West Philadelphia High, where he was a backup catcher. Told that he would never be good enough to play professionally, Mr. Gregg set out to get to the big leagues as an umpire. Seven years after graduating high school, he was in the majors. At the time of his arrival, he was the third African American umpire in the majors.