In a 1986 TSN poll of its 26 correspondents, Froemming was voted the best all-around umpire in the NL and also the umpire with the quickest thumb. On September 2, 1972, the Cubs ‘ Milt Pappas was one pitch away from a perfect game. The 3-2 pitch to the Padres’ 27th batter was called a ball by Froemming. Pappas pitched his no-hitter, but sulked for years that the call cost him a perfect game. Froemming simply explained that he had to call it a ball or he would have no integrity. The rotund arbiter was behind the plate when Nolan Ryan pitched his record fifth no-hitter.
