"I had the honor to catch a lot of games with Zeke umping behind me," he said. "The lessons we learned on the field from guys like Zeke stayed with us our whole lives."ĭan Gasparino, a 1978 Greenwich High graduate who played baseball for the University of Vermont and was later signed by the Yankees organization, also paid tribute to Bella.
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"He was a good example of how to conduct yourself on the field," he added. In addition to his legislative career, Camillo is an umpire, whose experience includes junior and senior Babe Ruth games, FCIAC games and private school contests. He was this great figure, a legend, who was actually doing my games."īella's officiating inspired Camillo. "I had his baseball card when I was a kid. Fred Camillo, R-151, who played in Babe Ruth games officiated by Bella. "He was one of our own and instantly a hero to us," said State Rep. His record included umpiring junior and senior Babe Ruth and high school baseball games. In his post-playing days, Bella developed an important presence as a youth sports official and mentor to many young players. Returning to Greenwich in 1960, he embarked on a long career with the U.S. He retired from baseball at the end of the 1959 season, following two operations on his left eye. The Bronx Bombers won the American League that season, but lost the World Series in seven games to the Milwaukee Braves.īella was traded to the Kansas City A's in 1959. The outfielder was called up to the Yankees at the end of the 1957 season.
Army from 1951 to 1954 during the Korean War, Bella returned to baseball in 1955. He signed with the Yankees in 1951 and played in the team's farm system for several years.Īfter serving in the U.S. He then attended a military academy for a year before moving on to semi-pro stints on teams in Hertford, N.C., and Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. He took his nickname from first baseman Zeke Bonura, one of his favorite players on the 1939 New York baseball Giants.īella graduated from high school at age 16 in 1947.
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