Longtime National League umpire (1882-1935) whose career lasted from 1906 to 1935. He officiated in ten World Series and has been credited with instituting the practice of using arm signals when calling balls and strikes. Official Spalding National League (Heydler) baseball signed in bold fountain pen on a side panel, "Compliments, Chas. Rigler, Umpire." The baseball features a handwritten notation in another hand below the manufacturer's stamp, "World Series, 1925." In very good condition, with moderate overall soiling. The 1925 World Series saw the Pittsburgh Pirates defeat the defending champion Washington Senators in seven games. The legendary Walter Johnson won games one and four, but lost the deciding game seven at Forbes Field.
One of Rigler's most memorable calls came in game three, when Earl Smith's long fly ball to right field reached Washington outfielder Sam Rice's glove just as he fell over the wall into the outfield bleachers. When Rice emerged from the crowd with the ball in his glove, Rigler's call of a catch and an out stoked controversy for decades. Rigler is 4th all time in total games umpired in the National League, and worked ten World Series.
A rare signed baseball by one of the games great early umpires, who will probably be recognized by the Hall of Fame in the future.
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