An Ailing Wildes Gets His Due
Jack Wildes went largely unappreciated during his 40 years as an Orange County umpire, officiating games ranging from youth leagues to the triple-A Pacific Coast League.
This week, organizers of the Big West Invitational high school baseball tournament decided to give something back to the 72-year-old who last August was diagnosed with cancer.
On Wednesday, Wildes was presented with a trophy in a ceremony attended by scores of players, coaches and umpires.
“It was so unexpected and such an honor,” an emotional Wildes told the crowd. “Someone who loves the game so much doesn’t expect things like this.”
Thursday night, San Diego Vista’s Kyle Schoonover, a senior center fielder, was awarded the first Jack Wildes Sportsmanship Award. It is given to a player competing in the Big West Invitational who “exemplifies the same dedication to baseball that Jack has shown throughout his career.”
And on May 27, a putting challenge and silent auction will be held at The Greens in Irvine to raise money for Wildes’ treatment.
Wildes, who lives in Westminster with his wife Marie, continued to umpire for a short time after his diagnosis before retiring last fall.
Even years later, he still vividly recalls calling balls and strikes for such would-be legends as Bert Blyleven.
“It was just hard to imagine a young fellow throwing a curveball like that,” Wildes said.
Wildes’ biggest thrill was “to meet so many players. I have met guys who have made plays you couldn’t imagine.”
Craig Oden, manager of the Men’s Amateur Baseball League, was just a kid when Wildes was in his prime. Oden recalled how everyone had respect for the man in blue.
“When he walked onto the field, he had a smile on his face and everyone knew it was going to be a well-called game,” Oden said. “He was truly a delight to be around.”
