Ron Luciano

Ronald Michael Luciano (June 28, 1937 – January 18, 1995) was an American Major League Baseball umpire from 1969 to 1979 in the American League. He was known for his flamboyant style, clever aphorisms, and a series of published collections of anecdotes from his colorful career.

Biography

Early life

Luciano was born in Endicott, in southern upstate New York near the Pennsylvania border, and lived his entire life there. The 6-foot-4, 260-pound Luciano was a standout two-way tackle at Syracuse University, where he majored in mathematics. He played in the 1957 Cotton Bowl and was named to the 1958 College Football All-America Team. In 1959 he played on the Orangemen's national championship squad with future Heisman Trophy winner Ernie Davis. The Detroit Lions selected him as an offensive tackle in the third round of the 1959 NFL Draft, but he suffered a serious shoulder injury in the College All-Star Game and never played a down for the Lions. They released him after the 1960 season. The AFL Buffalo Bills picked him up in 1961, but a knee injury forced his retirement after only two games.