[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 149 (Wednesday, October 23, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1548]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   REMEMBERING WALLACE ``WALLY'' BELL

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TIM RYAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 23, 2013

  Mr. RYAN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I am saddened to learn of the death of 
Wally Bell of Austintown, OH in my Congressional district. Wally Bell 
was a very well known umpire who had risen to the highest level of 
officiating in the MLB. Wally was another great sports product of the 
Mahoning Valley. I extend my heartfelt sympathy to all of his friends 
and family.
  I submit the following article that appeared in the New York Daily 
News on October 15.

               [From the Associated Press, Oct. 15, 2013]

     MLB Umpire Wally Bell Dies of Apparent Heart Attack at Age 48

       New York.--Major League Baseball umpire Wally Bell, who 
     worked the NL playoff series between the Pittsburgh Pirates 
     and St. Louis Cardinals that ended last week, has died. He 
     was 48.
        The commissioner's office confirmed Bell's death Monday. 
     He died of an apparent heart attack in his home state of 
     Ohio. ``All of us at Major League Baseball are in mourning 
     tonight regarding the sudden passing of Wally Bell,'' 
     Commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement.
        ``I always enjoyed seeing Wally, who was a terrific umpire 
     and such an impressive young man. On behalf of our 30 clubs, 
     I extend my deepest condolences to Wally's family, fellow 
     umpires and his many friends throughout the game.''
        Bell became the first active MLB umpire to die since John 
     McSherry passed away of a heart attack on the field in 
     Cincinnati on opening day in 1996.
        Bell worked the 2006 World Series and three All-Star 
     games, including this year's event at Citi Field, where he 
     was stationed at first base. A veteran of 21 big league 
     seasons, he had also worked four league championship series 
     and seven division series since joining the major league 
     staff in 1993.
        According to Bell's biography on MLB.com, his proudest 
     moment as a big league umpire was returning to the field 
     after having open heart surgery in 1999. ``I am deeply 
     saddened and shocked at the loss of umpire Wally Bell,'' said 
     Joe Torre, MLB executive vice president for baseball 
     operations.
        ``Umpiring was his life, and he touched so many people 
     within the game of baseball. Aside from being an 
     accomplished, All-Star-caliber umpire, Wally was a loving dad 
     to his two teenage children. I extend my deepest condolences 
     to them, his girlfriend Renee, the rest of his family and his 
     admirers across Major League Baseball.''
        Bell was 34 and 2\1/2\ weeks from leaving for spring 
     training in 1999 when his heart problem was detected. He had 
     quintuple bypass surgery on Feb. 18, 1999, that left him with 
     an 8-inch scar down the middle of his chest. Two of his 
     arteries had been 100 percent blocked. Two more had been 80 
     percent blocked, another 70 percent. But he returned to work 
     11 weeks later in San Diego for a game between the Padres and 
     Atlanta Braves. That night, plate umpire Mark Hirschbeck took 
     the first ball out of play, and planned to have all the umps 
     sign it before presenting the souvenir to Bell.
        Seven years later, Bell was behind the plate for Game 3 of 
     the World Series between Detroit and St. Louis at Busch 
     Stadium. During the 2013 regular season, Bell was a member of 
     Tim McClelland's crew.
        ``Wally was a great umpire, a great partner and a great 
     friend. The umpiring community is deeply saddened by this 
     tragic loss. He will be sorely missed by many,'' said major 
     league ump Joe West, President of the World Umpires 
     Association.
        Bell is survived by his son, Jason, and daughter, Lindsey.

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