Watch Burnham


George Walter "Watch" Burnham was an American umpire and manager in Major League Baseball who was briefly in the National League in the 1880s. He was born in Albion, Michigan.

Umpiring career

Burnham began his major league officiating career in when he called 41 National League games. On July 25 of that season, he called balls and strikes for a no-hitter thrown by "Old Hoss" Radbourn of the Providence Grays.
His next appearances as an umpire were single games in and another in, but he returned to part-time officiating when he called 33 games in, and 31 games in. In all, Watch umpired 107 games, 99 of which were behind the plate.

Managerial career

Burnhan began the season as the manager of an upstart National League team, the Indianapolis Hoosiers. However, after a very slow start, the team had a 6–22 record, and was in last place; he was fired on June 2. Fred Thomas took over as interim manager in addition to his front office duties.

Later life

Watch Burnham died at the age of 42 in Detroit, Michigan, and is interred at Oakwood Cemetery in Saline, Michigan.