Lou Kolls

Louis Charles Kolls (December 15, 1892 – February 23, 1941) was an American professional baseball umpire and American football player. Kolls played in the National Football League from 1920 to 1927 before umpiring in the American League from 1933 to 1940. He umpired in one All-Star Game and one World Series. Kolls was released by the American League a few months before his death.

Lou Kolls
Kolls as a football player, 1920
Born
Louis Charles Kolls

(1892-12-15)December 15, 1892
Rock Island, Illinois, US
DiedFebruary 23, 1941(1941-02-23) (aged 48)
Hooppole, Illinois, US
Resting placeRock Island National Cemetery
OccupationUmpire
Years active1933–1940
EmployerAmerican League
SpouseIrene Tanghe

Early life

Before entering umpiring, Kolls unsuccessfully ran for sheriff in Rock Island, Illinois.[1] He also played semi-pro and minor league baseball.[2] He attended college at St. Ambrose University

Football career

Kolls played seven seasons of professional football, 40 games total), for the 1920 Chicago Cardinals, 1920 Hammond Pros, 1922–1926 Rock Island Independents and 1927 New York Yankees.[3][4]

Umpiring career

Kolls umpired in the Mississippi Valley League, Western League and International League before making it to the American League in 1933.[5]

Kolls called 1195 games in his major league career. He was named to the staff of the 1936 All-Star Game. In 1938, Kolls suffered a broken nose in spring training,[6] but he umpired a full slate of 161 games and officiated the 1938 World Series.[7] After the 1940 season, American League president Will Harridge issued an outright release to Kolls.[8]

Personal life

Kolls was married to the former Irene Tanghe, who worked as a secretary to U.S. Representative Chester C. Thompson.[9]

Death

Kolls was killed in a two-car accident near Hooppole, Illinois, in 1941.[10] Four occupants of the other car were killed in the head-on collision. Two people were injured, including the sole passenger in the umpire's vehicle.[11]

References
  1. Degeer, Vern (July 23, 1936). "Sport Gossip". The Windsor Daily Star. Retrieved August 7, 2012.
  2. "Kolls Fatal Victim With Four Others". Reading Eagle. February 24, 1941. Retrieved August 7, 2012.
  3. "LOUIE KOLLS". profootballarchives.com. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
  4. "Louie Kolls Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  5. "Louis Kolls is Named Umpire in American League". The Telegraph-Herald. November 3, 1932. Retrieved August 7, 2012.
  6. "Umpire Proves First Casualty at Tiger Camp". The Spartanburg Herald-Journal. March 15, 1938. Retrieved August 7, 2012.
  7. Retrosheet
  8. "Umpire Kolls Released". The Milwaukee Journal. November 27, 1940. Retrieved August 7, 2012.
  9. "Eddie Johnson Now in College". The Spartanburg Herald-Journal. January 26, 1936. Retrieved August 7, 2012.
  10. Umpire Card
  11. "Umpire Lou Kolls Killed in Collision". The Milwaukee Journal. February 24, 1941. Retrieved August 7, 2012.
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