Pelekoudas began umpiring while serving as an
Army Special Services officer during World War II, and eventually worked his way up to the
National League after stops in the
Eastern Shore (1948),
Interstate (1949),
Western (1950–1952) and
Pacific Coast Leagues (1953–1959). Pelekoudas worked in the
World Series in
1966 and
1972, serving as crew chief the second time, and in the
All-Star Game in 1961 (second game), 1967 and 1975. He also officiated in the
National League Championship Series in
1969 and
1973. Pelekoudas umpired in a total of six
no-hitters, although was not behind the plate for any of them. In the 1998 book ''Baseball's Golden Greeks'' by Diamantis Zervos,
Jim Campanis describes a "Greek moment" in baseball when he was batting against
Cincinnati Reds pitcher
Milt Pappas, with
Alex Grammas the third base coach and Pelekoudas calling balls and strikes behind the plate. Pelekoudas was forced to retire after the season, due to then-limits that Major League Baseball had on umpires' ages.
Notable games Pelekoudas was the home plate umpire when
Willie Mays hit
four home runs on April 30, 1961. He was the third base umpire when
Sandy Koufax pitched his second no-hitter on May 11, 1963, and was the first base umpire for Koufax's
perfect game on September 9, 1965. He was the third base umpire for the first game ever held at
Shea Stadium, played on April 17, 1964. Pelekoudas is perhaps best remembered for ordering an apparent
Hank Aaron home run nullified on August 18, 1965, because Aaron stepped out of the
batter's box when he made contact; the umpire had warned Aaron on the previous two pitches. == Personal life ==