Stan Landes


Stanley Albert Landes was a professional baseball umpire who worked in the National League from 1955 to 1972. Landes umpired 2,872 major league games in his 18-year career. He umpired in three World Series, one League Championship Series and three All-Star Games.

Early life

After serving in the United States Marine Corps from 1942 to 1945, Landes pitched in minor league baseball in 1946 and 1947.

Umpiring career

Landes umpired for several seasons in the North Atlantic League, Middle Atlantic League, South Atlantic League and the American Association. He debuted in the National League on April 13, 1955.
Landes was terminated by National League President Chub Feeney in November 1972. Several months later, Landes said that he still had not received a specific explanation for his firing. The day that his termination letter was written, Stan had been outspoken about the mistreatment of umpires at a professional organization meeting. He also speculated that his personal problems may have been contributing factors. Landes had weight problems, went through three divorces and passed bad checks owing to a lack of communication from his second wife.