Is CB Bucknor still a Major League umpire?

Is CB Bucknor still a Major League umpire? – CB Bucknor is a Jamaican umpire who made a name for himself in Major League Baseball (MLB).

He was born on August 23, 1962, began his career in the National League (NL) from 1996 to 1999 and has played in both major leagues since 2000.

His officiating skills have earned him prestigious assignments, including serving as a member of the officiating crew for the 2005 and 2021 All-Star Games. He also officiated the 2007 American League Division Series, 2008, 2009, 2013 and 2020.

However, his career has not been without controversy. In the 2003 and 2006 Sports Illustrated polls, active MLB players voted him the league’s worst umpire. He received a similar title in a 2010 ESPN poll of 100 active players.

Despite the criticism, Bucknor was present at important moments in MLB history. He served as the first base umpire in Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander’s second no-hitter on May 7, 2011 against the Toronto Blue Jays. He also had the honor of serving as home plate umpire during Chicago White Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito’s no-hitter on August 25, 2020 against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

He suffered injuries during his refereeing career. He reportedly suffered an undisclosed injury on May 1, 2012, during a game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the St. Louis Cardinals. This forced him to leave the competition.

He was replaced the next day by minor league umpire DJ Reyburn. Another injury occurred on July 12, 2013, when Bucknor was hit in the face by a pitch thrown by Jarrod Parker traveling at 92 miles per hour after grazing Daniel Nava.

Bucknor’s journey to the United States began in 1973, when he left Jamaica. He attended the State University of New York at Cortland, where he played center field and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in recreational therapy in 1984.

He currently resides in Brooklyn, New York and remains actively involved in baseball-related initiatives. He works with the Bonnie Youth Club in Brooklyn and has been inducted into the Hall of Fame. He also teaches baseball to children in Jamaica and hosts an annual Christmas Treat Day party for more than 300 children with sporting events, video games and picnics.

Bucknor’s commitment to his community extends beyond baseball. He collects toys and remains involved with the Bonnie Youth Club. In addition to his officiating career, he continued to work as a recreational therapist in the child life department at New York and Presbyterian Hospital. Her work includes helping infants and adolescents cope with hospitalizations and surgeries through therapeutic play, arts, crafts, and games.

From his early days with the Bonnie Youth Club to his rise as an umpire, Bucknor’s passion for baseball and commitment to helping others have shaped his diverse career. His career testifies to his unfailing commitment on and off the field.

Is CB Bucknor still a Major League umpire?

At the time of writing, CB Bucknor was still an umpire in the major leagues.