Background
Kibler was born in Piseco, New York on January 9, 1928.
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John Kibler
Edit ProfileCareer
He wore uniform number 9 for most of his career. He worked in the minors for six seasons in the Georgia–Florida League (1958), Pioneer League (1959), South Atlantic League (1960–1961), American Association (1962), and International League (1963). He joined the National League full-time starting in 1965 after two partial seasons in 1963-1964.
He officiated in the 1981 National League Division Series, five National League Championship Series" (1972, 1975, 1979, 1984 (Game 5 only), and 1987—crew chief), four World Series (1971, 1978, 1982, and 1986—crew chief), and four Major League Baseball All-Star Games (1965, 1974, 1980—crew chief, and 1985).
He also umpired at the no-hitters of Ken Holtzman (1971, third base), Nolan Ryan"s fifth no-hitter (1981, third base), Bob Forsch"s second no-hitter (1983, second base), and Tom Browning"s perfect game (1988, second base). He served as the home plate umpire for the Cardinals inaugural game at Busch Memorial Stadium on May 12, 1966.
1986 World Series
Kibler was the crew chief in the 1986 World Series. In Game 6, Kibler was umpiring first base when he made the call that New York Mets outfielder Mookie Wilson"s dribbler was a fair ball as it went between the legs of Boston first baseman Bill Buckner, Kibler emphatically pointing "fair" as the ball went down the first base line.
Kibler then umpired behind the plate for Game 7 when New York wrapped up the series.
Membership
He served in the Navy during the Korean War and was a member of the New York State Police before becoming an umpire.
