A Major League Umpire Dies The umpire Wally Bell, who worked the National League division series between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the St. Louis Cardinals that ended last week, died. The commissioner's office confirmed Bell's death Monday. He died, apparently of a heart attack, in his home state, Ohio. Bell, who returned to the field after having open-heart surgery in 1999, became the first active major league umpire to die since John McSherry died of a heart attack on the field in Cincinnati on opening day in 1996. Bell, a veteran of 21 seasons, worked the 2006 World Series and three All-Star Games, including this year's event at Citi Field, at first base.