Babe Ruth League President/CEO Steven Tellefsen said," Douglas Bryden has been involved with our program for over 45 years. He is a very dedicated volunteer and plays a major role in the success the organization enjoys today. It is a proud moment to have a person of his caliber inducted into the Hall of Fame."
Doug Bryden's career in baseball surpassed just the 45-50 years he spent with Babe Ruth. His 75 year long baseball career started at the age of 14 when he left home to play semi-pro ball in Alberta, Canada in 1908. That same year, he became a catcher with the Detroit Tigers. Unfortunately, before spring training, he injured his shoulder in an automobile accident, sending him to the minor leagues. In 1929, he decided to play semi-pro baseball in Casper, Wyoming until the age of 40.
Thus began Bryden's Babe Ruth career. After retiring from semi-pro ball, Doug became Wyoming's State Umpire in Chief of the Babe Ruth Baseball Commission, in its inception. He held this position until his passing in May of 1983.
Baseball was not at all something Bryden took lightly. Once, as an umpire, he tossed his own son. Believe it or not, one of his best friends, Pat Patterson, became a longtime friend of Bryden's after being tossed out of a baseball game in the 40's for arguing with Doug on a call. At the age of 87, Bryden was attached to the game. He coached a women's softball team at the Shepherd of the Valley Center.
Doug Bryden was awarded the name "Mr. Umpire," acknowledging how he lived for the game of baseball. Bryden was highly recognized for his decades of work as a Babe Ruth organizer and umpire. In 1971, he received the Chamber of Commerce "Sportsman of the Year Award." On his 88th birthday he was presented a plaque in recognition of his contributions to youth baseball.