Dutch Rennert, who was one Major League Baseball's most identifiable umpires for nearly two decades, passed away Sunday at age 88.
Rennert served as a National League umpire from 1974-92. During that time, he was a fan-favorite because of his expressive strike calls. Rennert would step back from behind the plate, go down to one knee and point toward a dugout while calling out a strike in a volume loud enough to easily be heard throughout the stadium and on television and radio broadcasts.
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Rennert credited Hall of Fame umpire Al Barlick, who was also known for his booming calls, and fellow longtime NL umpire August Donatelli with inspiring his unique style.

"[They said] 'You've got to add something to your work. You've got to be a little bit more colorful.' But I think I got carried away," Rennert joked during a 2015 television interview. "It wasn't an act. It just came natural."
In addition to his popularity with fans, Rennert was well-respected by his peers and others within the game. He umpired three World Series, six NL Championship Series and two All-Star Games among his nearly 2,700 big league games.
"It's one of the greatest jobs in the world," Rennert said of umpiring.