Paul Strelzin, 'The Mouth,' 1st announcer ejected from professional baseball game for song

Last week I wrote about Paul Strelzin and his battle with the Border Patrol while principal at Bowie High School. This week's column is a look at Strelzin, “The Mouth,” as many El Pasoans knew him, public address announcer for the El Paso Diablos.

The El Paso Baseball Hall of Fame describes Strelzin, a 2015 inductee, this way:

Local Legend known for his engaging personality and creativity and part of El Paso baseball history for his voice, energy and sense of humor. Known for catch phrases like “We Wanna a Hit,” “Let’s Wake up Mona the Elephant over at the Zoo” and gimmicks like the “Green Weenie Rally Flag.”Public address announcer for El Paso Diablos Double-A baseball team starting in 1974. Nationally known in books and national articles as “The Strelz” or “The Mouth.”First baseball public address announcer to ever be thrown out of a game by a home plate umpire for playing the song “Three Blind Mice,” followed by another song’s opening line, “I’ve Been Cheated/When Will I be Loved.”

Irritated ump boots ‘The Mouth’ for a song

That game was played May 24, 1988. As reported:

Paul Strelzin’s musical tastes got him kicked out of Tuesday night’s El Paso Diablos baseball game at Dudley Field. In one of the most bizarre moments in recent memory at the old baseball park, the Diablos’ public address announcer was thrown out of the game by umpire Brian Owen after playing Linda Ronstadt’s “When Will I Be Loved?” The opening line of the song – “I’ve been cheated” – infuriated Owen.

Strelzin, known around town as “The Mouth,” began to play the tune after Diablo runner Joe Mitchell was called out on a close play at home during the fifth inning of the Jackson Mets’ 12-3 victory. Strelzin stopped when Owen signaled him to cut the song short. When Strelzin played the song again – between innings – he was tossed. Owen’s decision confused Strelzin and Diablos General Manager Rick Parr. It also angered many of the 2,252 fans at the stadium. One customer was removed from the stadium by police after throwing ice at first base umpire Dale Luker.

More:Paul Strelzin successfully battled Border Patrol to protect Bowie staff, students

'I don’t think I’ve done anything wrong'

“I think the man (Owen) owes me an apology,” Strelzin said. “I don’t think I’ve done anything wrong.” Strelzin said he played the song to help get the fans involved in the game. At the time, Jackson was winning 8-1 and the crowd had been relatively silent.

Strelzin and Parr said the song, which has been played at Diablos’ games since 1974, is not intended to poke fun at umpires. “The intent is to make the game fun for the fans, not to pinpoint anything the umpires do,” Parr said.

The game was held up for about five minutes after Owen ejected Strelzin. Owen discussed the matter with Parr on the field while some fans shouted obscenities at the umpiring crew. Strelzin, who has been the team’s announcer for 10 of the past 14 seasons, said he doesn’t understand Owen’s decision. “I’ve played that song more than 200 times and no one has ever objected to it.”

Lyrics 'incited the crowd'

Owen, who has umpired several games at Dudley Field, said he had not heard the song at the stadium before. He said he ejected Strelzin because he believed the lyrics “incited the crowd.” Owen said, “The song is telling the fans to get on the umpires. It can get to the point where it’s dangerous for umpires.”

Owen disagreed with Parr’s claim that the song is intended to give the fans a few laughs: “It’s an attempt to have the crowd react to our calls.” After Strelzin was ejected, Parr phoned Texas League Commissioner Carl Sawatski. Parr and Sawatski probably will discuss the matter with the umpires before tonight’s game at Dudley Field.

Parr said Sawatski attended several Diablo games – including a few last week – and has never objected to the song. Strelzin, who is also principal at H.E. Charles Junior High, said he doesn’t know if he’ll play the song tonight if another close call goes against El Paso.

Owen meanwhile said he “more than likely” will eject Strelzin again if he plays it.

Umpire won’t apologize to Diablos’ announcer

The following night Strelzin and Owen were back at Dudley field:

The umpire who ejected El Paso Diablos announcer Paul Strelzin will not give him the apology the announcer wants.

“I have nothing against (Strelzin),” Owen said. “I’d be happy to talk to him, but I’m not going to apologize. I think I acted in a professional manner.”

Owen was unpopular with spectators after tossing Strelzin in the fifth inning of El Paso’s 12-3 loss to Jackson. Texas League rules give the umpire authority to banish an announcer. Still, research by the El Paso Times could not find another incident where an umpire ejected an announcer at a professional baseball game.

Strelzin, like Owen, seemed eager to leave the incident in the past. There were no controversial incidents during Wednesday’s game.

But before the game, Strelzin defended his actions of the previous night.

“I still believe I played within the rules,” he said. “I did not intend to incite the crowd by playing that song.”

El Pasoans took Strelzin’s side on the matter. Of those who voted in an informal phone poll on radio stations KHEY-AM and Y96-FM Wednesday, 65% said Strelzin was not at fault.

Both radio stations had fun with the story. They played “When Will I Be Loved?” throughout the day.

Trish long may be reached at tlong@elpasotimes.com or 915-546-6179.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Paul Strelzin first announcer ejected from professional baseball game