Merle Anthony

George Merlyn Anthony (April 26, 1926 – February 2, 1993) was an American professional baseball umpire who worked in the American League from 1969 to 1975. Anthony umpired the 1974 Major League Baseball All-Star Game and the 1973 American League Championship Series. In his career, he umpired 965 major league games. Before his umpiring career, he was a Minor League Baseball player in 1946 and 1948.

Early career Anthony had a brief minor league career as a player in the 1940s and 1950s. He returned to the minor leagues as an umpire between 1960 and 1969. During that period, Anthony umpired in the California League and the Pacific Coast League before receiving the nod to work in the major leagues.

Anthony was also one of the first three umpires, along with Don Denkinger and Dave Phillips, to switch to the inside chest protector, which American League umpires were allowed to use beginning in the 1975 season.

Personal life Anthony was married to the former Virginia Luggar. He was sales manager of the local Plymouth dealer during the 1950s. Merle died on February 2, 1993. He was 66 years old.