Piedmont College has a connection with one of the most historic Fall Classics in history, but it isn’t at second base or short…it’s at home plate, and it’s behind the plate to be exact.
Marvin Hudson, a Major League Baseball umpire for more than 16 years, is scheduled to work home plate in Game 4 as part of the 2016 World Series between the Chicago Cubs and the Cleveland Indians.
What many may not know is Hudson is actually a Piedmont alum and sat behind the plate during his time in Demorest, but that was as a catcher for the Piedmont baseball team.
Scheduled to speak at Piedmont’s P-Club Hall of Fame Induction Lunch on February 11 of 2017, Hudson is a 2007 Piedmont Alumni Award winner and also a Georgia native having graduated from Marietta High School in 1982.
Of course, being unknown as a MLB umpire is usually actually a pretty good thing as that means you’re doing a good job. It’s clear from his track record extending back before the 2000 season that Hudson is well thought of amongst the MLB umpire community.
Hudson became a MLB umpire back in 1999 working the 2004 All-Star Game which was the 75th edition of the mid-season exhibition game between the American League and the National League with the contest held in Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas.
The Piedmont alum would get comfortable in the postseason before being called on to work this year’s World Series as he was on the crew for the 2014 American League Championship Series between Baltimore and Kansas City as well as four Division Series prior to that.
To go with his postseason experience, Hudson has a great deal of experience with historic games as he was the home plate umpire for Armando Galarraga’s near perfect game against the Indians in 2010 and was at second base for Ervin Santana’s 2011 no-hitter. He was also at 1st on April 21, 2012 when Phillip Humber threw a perfect game in Seattle.
In addition to his hard work on the field, Hudson is also well known for a special point of pride amongst MLB umpires having co-founded an organization originally known as “Blue for Kids” with fellow umpire Mike DiMuro in 2004.
The organization is now a part of Umps Care and is an organization that provides financial and emotional support for youth and families in need.
Having been a postseason veteran, Hudson was selected as one of seven to be on the 2016 World Series Umpire Crew for what is likely the most intriguing championship match-up in baseball history.
The two teams involved, the Chicago Cubs and the Cleveland Indians, share nearly 180 years since winning a world series with the Indians doing so back in 1948 while the Cubs last took the title in 1908.
Now, in what will likely be a pivotal point with the series tied at a game each and headed back to the Windy City for Game 3 later Friday night, Hudson will have the plate for Game 4 with the country tuning in to watch live on Saturday evening.
For Piedmont College, it’s a well-known connection that now extends into the World Series. Then again, for Hudson, it’s more about being unknown come late Saturday night.
Game 4 of the 2016 World Series is scheduled for an 8:00 pm start on Saturday, October 29 with TV coverage provided by Fox.
P-Club Hall of Fame Induction Luncheon Details:
Saturday, February 11
Marvin Hudson, Guest Speaker
Tickets will become available to the public in December
By PIEDMONT SPORTS INFORMATION (Timmy McCormack)
