Billy Evans/pagetext

From SABR Encyclopedia

Versatile: umpire, sports writer,baseball front office man,football executive and capable in all. Set out to become a lawyer. Entered Cornell in 1901. His father died two years later and had to stop his education. Became a reporter for the Youngstown,Ohio Vindicator, then sports editor two years later, with salary of $18 weekly. When the regular umpire for a Ohio-Pennsylvania League game failed to show up, the two managers asked Evans to umpire the game. Billy continued umpiring as sideline for two years. Ban Johnson AL president hired him in 1906. He remained on staff until 1927.