Paul Runge

Who is Paul Runge?

Paul Edward Runge is a former umpire in Major League Baseball who worked in the National League from 1973 to 1997. He is the most accomplished member of the only three-generation umpiring family in major league history; his father Ed was an American League umpire from 1954 to 1970, and his son Brian was a major league umpire from 1999 to 2012. He wore number 17 for most of his career.

Paul Runge graduated from Arizona State University, where he lettered in baseball, and after a brief minor league playing career in the farm systems of the Houston Colt .45s and Los Angeles Angels, he became an NL umpire after working in the California League, Eastern League and Pacific Coast League. He was the first son of a former major league umpire to reach the majors himself.

He officiated in four World Series, and in the All-Star Games of 1978, 1986 and 1994, working behind the plate for the last contest. He tied Doug Harvey's major league record by umpiring in nine League Championship Series – 1977, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1990, 1995 and 1996 – serving as crew chief in 1995 and 1996.