Longtime MSBL Umpire and World Series Staff Member, Red Thompson, Passes Away at 82

Reported by Tom Prendergast, MSBL World Series Tournament Director, and Red’s Dear Friend

Sad news to report – longtime MSBL umpire, World Series staff member, and MSBL World Series Hall of Fame member Red Thompson passed away Tuesday night.  He was 82.  Red was part of the MSBL World Series for 30+ years and loved every minute of the tournament. When he wasn’t on the field umpiring, he was assisting in the office or handing out equipment bags to team managers.

But during our World Series tournament, Red was probably best known as the ‘Mayor of Maryvale’!  He spent countless hours at the Maryvale Complex and was always a welcome sight by our players. He would patrol the grounds in his golf cart and never passed up the opportunity to give anybody who needed help, a lift!

His wife, Judy, told me that despite his condition he was eagerly anticipating his assignments for this Springs High School baseball games. He had every intention of working these games behind the plate, without using his walker.  What a trooper!

Red’s final months were agonizing and filled with constant pain from his multiple and chronic illnesses. So, while we will miss him a great deal, we are taking comfort in the knowledge that he is in a better place.

Harold ‘Red’ Thompson’s dedication, devotion, and loyalty to the MSBL World Series will forever be a part of our history.