Brian Runge

Brian Edward Runge

• Height 6' 1", Weight 225 lbs.

• Born January 5, 1970 in San Diego, CA USA

Biographical Information

Brian Runge was a major league umpire from 1999, when he began working in the National League, to 2012. His father, Paul Runge, and his grandfather, Ed Runge, also both served as big league umps.

Runge was involved in the first major league call to involve instant replay. When Alex Rodriguez homered to left on September 3, 2008, Brian called the shot a home run. The replay was consulted and Runge's call was upheld. In 2-12, he had the rare distinction of being behind the plate for two no-hitters in the same season, Philip Humber's perfect game on April 21st and a combined no-hitter by six Seattle Mariners pitchers on June 8th. This had not happened since 1990, when Drew Coble had called the game for two no-hitters also. Runge had also been the home plate umpire on July 10, 2009, when Jonathan Sanchez pitched a no-no. All three Runges had been umpires for a no-hitter. On June 13, 2012, he was umpiring at third base when Matt Cain tossed a perfect game, giving him a front row seat to a rare feat for the third time in less than two months.

Bothered by a knee injury, he umpired his last major league game on August 30, 2012, and was replaced on the major league umpire roster by Chris Conroy on June 14, 2013. The issue was not the knee, however, as he had worked spring training games and even a few outings in AAA in 2013. No official reason was given at the time for the unusual move. On July 2nd, however, The Associated Press reported that Runge had been dismissed because he had failed a couple of drug tests, the second having come after he had agreed to comply to a treatment program similar to that which players must follow in a similar situation.

Runge has three children, Riley, Joshua, and Jarrett.

Related Sites

• Brian Runge at Retrosheet.org