Hank Soar, 87; Baseball Umpire, Star With Football Giants

Hank Soar, 87, a longtime umpire in the American League who earlier in his career was a standout football player for the New York Giants, died Monday at home in Pawtucket, R.I.

After winning all-state honors in football, basketball and baseball in high school at Pawtucket, he played football for two years at Providence College.

Soar played both offensive and defensive positions for the Giants from 1937-46 and was in five championship games. In 1938, Soar caught a 23-yard touchdown pass from Ed Danowski that clinched the 23-17 victory over Green Bay, the Giants’ only title while Soar was with the team.

Soar umpired in the American League from 1950 to 1975, officiating at five World Series and three All-Star games. He was also the league’s supervisor of officials before retiring.

“There was no hemming or hawing when Hank was umpiring,” said former Boston Red Sox third baseman Frank Malzone. “He was always fair and never held a grudge.”