Edwin Durwood MERRILL

Double stone with Carolyn Kay

*Memorial
March 12, 1938 - January 11, 2003

American Umpire Major League Baseball

Edwin Durwood Merrill was born in Cloud Chief, Washita County, Oklahoma. His father was a Baptist Minister. He was one of four boys.
The family moved to Hooks, Bowie County, Texas where Edwin attended DeKalb High School and was an outstanding Athlete. He went on to play football at Texarkana College and East Texas State University (now Texas A&M at Commerce, Texas). He was a Football Coach and Athletic Director at Hooks High School in his home town of Hooks, Bowie County, Texas. He served as Head football coach at East Texas State University for seven years
In 1972 at the age of 39 he changed careers and enrolled in the Bill Kinnamon umpiring school. Among his class mates were future Major League umpires. He graduated third in his class and was assigned to Call-A California League for the 1972 season. He had a rapid climb through the minors, officiating in the Double-A Texas League in 1973 and the Triple-A American Association in 1974, 1975 and 1976. He was, also, a fill-in in the American League. In 1977, he began a 23 seasons umpire career in the American Major League Baseball. He umpired five American League Championship Series and served in the 1988 World Series. He officiated in the 1984 and 1995 All-Star Games and the Division Series in 1996, 1998 and 1999. He worked more than 3,600 games in the Major Leagues.
Merrill was a large framed big guy and was known as Big Tex. His unique crouch directly behind the catcher and often extended his arms far in front of him. He had one of the largest strike zones in baseball and was easy to recognize as he called strikes and balls.
Merrill amassed a large memorabilia collection. He had signed baseballs, game used jerseys and bats from the biggest names in the major leagues.
He built a very large Charitable effort for the needy in Hooks. Hooks Christian Services Charity, an organization he founded to provide food, clothing and toys for the underprivileged in his hometown and the surrounding area. He often displayed his memorabilia collection for the benefit of his charity.
During the off-season, Merrill would return to his home in Hooks, Texas, where he and his wife, Carolyn, resided on a ranch he appropriately named "Field of Dreams." The Merrills had settled in Hooks where he had once served as head football coach and athletic director in the mid-1960s.
He has been labeled as one of the most colorful umpires in the Major Leagues history. His popularity with the players and his experiences on the diamond led Merrill to co-author a book with journalist Jim Dent. He entitled the book "You're Out and You're Ugly, Too--Confessions of an Umpire with Attitude." He was truly one of a kind,, a big man with a big heart who enjoyed life to the fullest.
He married Carolyn Carter and they had two children, son Mickey and daughter Marie. They moved to New Boston, Bowie County, Texas after his retirement to be near their children and grandchildren.
He received many awards: He was the 11th person to received the Gold Whistle Winner for his charity work. Known for his showmanship on the field, Merrill was given the "Best Hustler" award by The Sporting News in 1985. Six years later USA Today tabbed him as the game's "most colorful" umpire. But perhaps his biggest honor came when he was elected to the Texas Baseball Hall of Fame.
“He died after suffering a massive heart attack. He fought and doggedly clung to life.. and went down swinging but the third strike caught him.”
Memorials may be made to the Durwood Merrill Memorial Scholarship Fund at New Boston High School.

Ira Sharp Dennis
Sources: The Associated Press, The Texarkana Gazette (Jan 14, 2003). Wikipedia, ThedeadballEra.com (Johnny Green Sports Director)

Contributed on 8/1/14 by hstryhntr2
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Record #: 14670

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