Rich Garcia
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Rich Garcia was a Major League umpire from 1975 to 1999. Garcia worked two All-Star Games (1980, 1992), three Division Series (1995, 1997-98), five League Championship Series (1978, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1996) and four World Series (1981, 1984, 1989, 1998). Garcia joined Major League Baseball as an Umpire Supervisor in 2002. In his current position, Garcia serves as a liaison between Major League Baseball and the Major League umpires.
Garcia was hired into the minor leagues after attending the Umpire Development Course in 1970. Worked in the Florida State (single-A, 1970-71), Southern (double-A, 1972) and International (triple-A, 1973-74) leagues before joining the AL staff in 1975. Also worked winter baseball in the Dominican League (1972 and 1973) and in the Florida Instructional League (1970, 71, 73, 74). Promoted to AL crew chief in 1985.
Garcia, who played baseball for three years as a U.S. Marine, served in the U.S. Marine Corps (1960-64) as a combat engineer with postings to Okinawa and North Carolina. He has instructed at various umpire schools for several years and also conducted umpiring clinics during the offseason when he was an active Major League umpire.
Garcia played the first base umpire in the movie, For Love of the Game (1999), starring Kevin Costner and Kelly Preston.
Garcia, was born in Key West, FL and currently resides in Clearwater, FL. He and his wife Sheryl have four children and ten grandchildren.
[Category:MLB Umpires, MLB Umpire Supervisors, Actors in For Love of the Game]
