Alfonso Márquez


Alfonso Márquez is an umpire in Major League Baseball who worked in the National League in 1999 and has worked throughout both major leagues since 2000. He wears uniform number 72.

Early years

Márquez graduated from Fullerton Union High School in Orange County, California, in 1990.
Prior to working in MLB, Márquez umpired in the Arizona Fall League, Arizona Instructional League, Northwest League, Midwest League, California League, Southern League, and Pacific Coast League.

MLB career

Márquez worked his first MLB game on August 13, 1999, as the home plate umpire in the second game of a doubleheader between the Montreal Expos and Colorado Rockies. He was the first Mexican-born umpire in major league history. He worked 30 MLB games in his first season, and became a full-time MLB umpire in 2000; through the end of the 2016 season, he has umpired 2111 regular season MLB games and has issued 56 ejections.

Notable games

Márquez has officiated three World Series, four League Championship Series, and nine Division Series, as well as the 2006 All-Star Game and 2018 All-Star Game.
Márquez was at second base on August 7, 2004, for Greg Maddux's 300th win.
On July 2, 2011, Márquez ejected both Toronto Blue Jays manager John Farrell and pitcher Jon Rauch. In the top of the 9th inning, with the Blue Jays down a run, Shane Victorino of the Philadelphia Phillies singled, driving in Chase Utley, who was called safe at home by Márquez; Rauch was ejected for arguing the call, and Farrell was ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct. This incident gained some notoriety because of the size of Rauch and his anger towards Márquez. Rauch, at a height of and weighing well over, had to be restrained by catcher J. P. Arencibia, Farrell, and third base coach Brian Butterfield. In the process, Rauch's jersey was ripped off and Farrell's jaw was dislocated by Rauch.