Eric Gregg, who umpired in the major leagues for more than two decades while battling a craving for food and drink that spotlighted health concerns surrounding overweight umpires, died Monday in Philadelphia. He was 55.
His death was announced by his son Kevin, who said his father had a stroke on Sunday.
Gregg was a full-time National League umpire from 1978 to 1999 and worked the 1989 World Series, four League Championship Series, two Division Series and an All-Star Game. He was the third black umpire in the major leagues, following Emmett Ashford, who made his debut in the American League in 1966, and Art Williams, who began umpiring in the NL in 1972.
One of Gregg’s best-remembered moments came in Game 5 of the 1997 NL Championship Series, when his generous strike zone helped the Marlins’ Livan Hernandez strike out 15 Braves. Atlanta players were angry, but Gregg stood behind his zone.
Gregg was far better known for a continuing and serious issue — his battle against obesity. His weight at times approached 400 pounds,
