Happy 70th birthday to MLB umpire Phil Cuzzi

Happy birthday to Major League Baseball umpire Phil Cuzzi, who celebrates his 70th birthday today. Cuzzi is the first umpire to call a major league game on the field at age 70.

Cuzzi broke into the majors in 1991 as a National League substitute umpire. He worked games for injured or vacationing full-time umpires. But, in 1993 Cuzzi was aced out by a numbers game and was dropped from the National League. Starting at the bottom of the ladder, he again worked his way though the minor leagues and was hired by the majors again in 1999.

In his career, Cuzzi has worked two wild card playoffs, seven division series, three league championship series, two All-Star games and the 2017 World Series.

A few umpires have come close to the magic age 70 over the years. Joe West and Larry Vanover worked games at age 69. Bruce Froemming and Gerry Davis worked games at age 68. In the 1960s and 1970s both the American and National Leagues required umpires to submit for retirement at age 55. Great umpires of that day like Al Barlick, Augie Donatelli, and Jim Honochick all retired around age 55.

MLB joins other leagues

After NFL referee Ben Dreith settled an age discrimination lawsuit against the NFL, all pro leagues and college conferences dropped age requirements. The NBA has had referees call games in their 70s, with Dick Bavetta working in the NBA for 39-years and retiring at age 74.

In 2019, NFL down judge Mike Spanier was the first pro football official to call a game at age 70. In 2021, in his final season, Tony Corrente turned 70, becoming the second NFL official to call a game at that age.

The National Hockey League has never had a referee or linesman work past age 70. In fact, many NHL officials are hired in their late 20s or early 30s and retire because of physical wear and tear around age 50.

Nutrition, a commitment to physical fitness and modern medicine let today’s officials work longer careers and even break through previously impossible age barriers.

Congratulations to Phil Cuzzi on his special birthday and best wishes as the 2025 baseball season draws to a close.