Jim Evans

Who is Jim Evans?

James Bremond Evans is a former umpire in Major League Baseball who worked in the American League from 1971 to 1999. He has operated the Jim Evans Academy of Professional Umpiring since 1990.

Evans began umpiring Little League games at age 14, where his playing experience as a catcher helped in judging balls and strikes. Evans graduated from the University of Texas in 1968, and served in the National Guard. He then worked as an umpire in college games and in the Florida State League.

Evans attended the newly formed Umpire Development Program in 1969, and then worked in the Texas League and American Association before joining the AL staff in late 1971. Evans became an AL crew chief in 1981. He wore uniform number 3 starting in 1980 when the AL adopted uniform numbers.

He umpired in 4 World Series, and in 7 American League Championship Series, tying a record set by Larry Barnett.

Evans also umpired in the All-Star Game in 1976, 1989, and 1999, serving as the home plate umpire in the last two contests. He worked in the American League Division Series in 1981, 1995 and 1996, and also in the single-game playoffs to determine the Eastern division champion in 1978 and the Western division champion in 1995.