At twilight on a late August evening on Brookline Avenue, a sports career spanning eight decades reached its own twilight. Though a crowd was there to witness the occasion, the center of attention just wanted the teams to take the field.
“Whenever you’re ready,” called out Jim Hennessey to the dugouts.
After 63 years and 7,000 games, the nearly 85-year-old Hennessey worked his last game as an umpire Tuesday night, ending a career of calling Little League, high school, and adult softball games in Brookline. But those were only a part of his athletic legacy.
As a quarterback, Hennessey led Brookline High to a Class A title and undefeated season in football in 1954. He didn’t go far from the area after graduation, quarterbacking Northeastern and becoming the Huskies’ Most Valuable Player in 1959.
That steadfast quality was on full display Tuesday as Hennessey umpired a Brookline Men’s Softball League game between the Clients and the Great Richards. After he called both teams to the field, they gave him a round of applause. He briefly let them, before holding up his hands and saying, “Let’s play ball.”
Hennessey still calls an excellent game. His eyesight is great, and he moves easily to see the action.
“My health is good,” said Hennessey. “I’ve been doing this for a long time. I just want to go out on my own terms. I don’t want someone to have to tell me I can’t do the job anymore.”
His wife points to the commute as one of the primary reasons for his retirement. After teaching at Brookline High for 43 years, the Hennesseys moved to New Seabury a few years ago, but Hennessey still made the trip to Brookline from the Cape multiple times a week.
Hennessey’s calm umpiring is a constant, and the players who have grown up with him as their coach and umpire are quick to point it out.
Before the top of the third inning Tuesday, two of Hennessey’s granddaughters caught his attention, and he went over to the fence to say hello.
“Don’t miss any balls,” one said.
The Clients’ catcher, Ritchie Allen, said, “He hasn’t missed one in 50 years.”
Sometimes Hennessey came in from the Cape not for games, but just to check the field in bad weather.
“It’s been unbelievable,” said Bruce Raine, the Brookline Men’s Softball League commissioner, who has been involved in the league for 30 years. “Not only is Jimmy the head umpire, he has three or four other umpires he manages. Jimmy takes care of everything for us. Even on rainy days, he comes down to check the field to make sure we can play on the field.”
During the game, while Hennessey is calling a tight contest, the crowds grow. Many spectators are his former students and players at Brookline High. Others remember him from the neighborhood. A woman who grew up with his children rides her bicycle to the dugout, and runs onto the field between innings to give him a hug.
