Former MLB Umpire Derryl Cousins Dead at 74

As MLB begins its 2020 World Series, the umpiring community mourns the loss of former AL and MLB umpire Derryl Cousins, who died at the age of 74, one year after baseball lost Eric Cooper during the 2019 postseason.

Born on August 18, 1946 in Fresno, California, Cousins presided over 4,496 regular season contests, five Division Series, seven League Championship Series, three World Series, and three All-Star Games, in addition to serving as crew chief for the 2009 World Baseball Classic in Los Angeles during his 34-year major league career.

During his time officiating in the majors from 1979 through 2012, Cousins ejected 123 players, coaches, and managers, ranging from Whitey Herzog and Reggie Jackson in the 1970s and 1980s to Joe Maddon, Lou Piniella, and Tony LaRussa in the 2000s (Bobby Cox: three times).

At the time of his retirement, Cousins was the active staff leader in games worked and his umpiring partnership with Joe Brinkman still holds the record for most games officiated as crew partners in major league history (2,123 games).

Cooper, who passed away on October 20, 2019, and Cousins, whose death comes one year later, served on the same crew during the mid-2000s, when Cousins chiefed a foursome that included Angel Hernandez, Cooper, and Marty Foster.

Related Post: Eric Cooper Dies at 52 Following Blood Clot (10/20/19).

Cousins' uniform number 13 is currently worn by umpire Todd Tichenor, who is officiating his first career World Series in 2020.