Phil Cuzzi Bio, Age, Parents, Wife, Children, Net Worth – American baseball official Philip Cuzzi, who was born on August 29, 1955, works for Major League Baseball (MLB).
Phil Cuzzi’s biography
From 1991 to 1993, he worked as a reserve umpire in the National League (NL), where he later returned in 1999. He has been an umpire for both of the major leagues since 2000. When he first began his career, Cuzzi wore the number 99, but he is currently wearing the number 10.
Cuzzi worked as an umpire in a number of minor leagues prior to making it to the majors, including the New York-Penn League, Carolina League, South Atlantic League, Southern League, Triple-A Alliance, International League, American Association, Florida State League, and Eastern League.
On June 4, 1991, Cuzzi made his major league debut while serving as the first base umpire in a game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the St. Louis Cardinals. Between 1991 and 1993, he officiated a total of 71 National League games.
Cuzzi’s umpiring career suffered a setback in 1993 since there were no full-time roles in the top league available for him. Despite being freed, he maintained his love of umpiring by working as a bartender and substitute teacher. During this period, he happened to cross paths with National League president Len Coleman, who offered him the option to resume umpiring under the condition that he progressed from the lowest minor leagues.
In 1999, Cuzzi officiated 49 games for the NL. He was elevated to the full-time major league staff in 2000.
Cuzzi has overseen important games throughout his career, including the 2013 Wild Card Game, numerous Division Series contests, the 2005, 2014, and 2019 National League Championship Series, and Game 1 of the 2017 World Series. Additionally, he officiated the All-Star Games in 2008 and 2019.
Cuzzi has officiated at least three MLB no-hitters while behind the plate, which is one of his most memorable experiences. In 2001 and 2015, he served as the plate umpire for no-hitters by Bud Smith and Cole Hamels, respectively. He officiated third base when San Francisco Giants pitcher Jonathan Sánchez threw a no-hitter in 2009.
Cuzzi has also been engaged in contentious decisions, including as the game in which seven Tampa Bay Rays players were removed from the game while no Boston Red Sox players were. In addition, he officiated the opening game at the brand-new Yankee Stadium in 2009.
Cuzzi was involved in one noteworthy incident that happened during the 2009 ALDS game between the Minnesota Twins and the New York Yankees. He rendered a contentious decision at a key time, labeling a fair ball as a foul ball, depriving Twins’ Joe Mauer of a ground rule double. The Twins ultimately lost the game in the bottom of the inning as a result of the call.
As the first base umpire on August 17, 2019, Cuzzi dismissed Brett Gardner and CC Sabathia of the Yankees. Gardner was dismissed after it was observed that he had previously been dismissed for using his bat to strike the top of the Yankees’ dugout. Cuzzi used phantom props to illustrate Gardner’s action and explain the cause of the ejection.
Philip Cuzzi’s umpiring career has been filled with memorable incidents as well as a few controversies, which has helped him build a solid reputation as a knowledgeable and dependable official in Major League Baseball.
Age of Phil Cuzzi
He was 67 years old in 2022.
Parents of Phil Cuzzi
His parents’ names remain unknown.
wife of Phil Cuzzi
Gilda Cuzzi is his name for his spouse.
Children of Phil Cuzzi
His children are not specifically mentioned.
Phil Cuzzi Earnings
He is claimed to have a net worth of at least $1 million.