Clarence Eldridge

Life & Legacy

Clarence Ernest Eldridge (June 24, 1888 – February 7, 1981) was an American Major League Baseball umpire in the American League and an advertising executive. Eldridge was a newspaper writer in college, acquiring the nickname "Dope." He practiced law before beginning his career in baseball umpiring. Eldridge umpired his first major league game on June 24, 1914, his only game in 1914. He returned the following year to umpire five games. All six of his career major league games umpired were at first base.
Following his umpiring career, he worked as an advertising manager for the REO Motor Car Company, a vice president of Young & Rubicam, vice president in charge of marketing for General Foods, and executive vice president of the Campbell's. He was inducted into the American Advertising Federation Hall of Fame.