Umpires are truly overlooked for their contributions to
baseball. Their ability to arbitrate games and interpret rules is done at an
amazingly high success rate. Even their humanity during times when they make
mistakes, or at a minimum, decisions that not all agree with, can bring an
exciting and unexpected element to the game. One of the best umpires to ever
strap on a face mask was Dale Scott, who had a distinguished 31-year career and
it should come to nobody’s surprise if his name is eventually in consideration
for the Hall of Fame.
Born in 1959 in Oregon, Scott grew up loving baseball. In
addition to playing, he first started umpiring as a 15-year-old in high school.
Like many other careers, one thing led to another and before he knew it he had
a full-time job umpiring in the minor leagues in 1981 when he was just 22.
Young umpires must be able to handle the rigors of the
grueling minor-league travel, along with adapting to dealing with players and
managers of varying pedigrees and notoriety. The way Scott zoomed through the
ranks was a testament to his skill and adaptability.
In 1985, he umpired one game at the major league level. By
the following year he was there to stay—on his way to a 32-year career. He
started in the American League but was calling games in both leagues as of the
2000 season. Along the way, he officiated in three World Series, six League
Championship Series, 12 Division Series and three All Star Games.
Scott also was behind the plate for a number of no-hitters,
had run-ins with legendary managers and also became a crew chief in 2001. He
gained national attention by publicly coming out in 2014 and was named to the
National Gay and Lesbian Sports Hall of Fame in 2015.
Unfortunately, Scott had to retire in 2017 after suffering a
series of concussions on the job. He and his husband Michael, who has been with
him since 1986, still live in Oregon. He leaves behind a baseball legacy that
is not easily matched and should be an excellent candidate for consideration
for enshrinement in Cooperstown one day. Keep reading for some of his
recollections about his career.
Who was your favorite
player when you were growing up, and why?: I was a Dodger fan growing up,
especially the 1974 NL Pennant winner. My favorite player was Steve
Garvey since that was my favorite position.
How did you come to
get into umpiring and when did you know it would be a viable career?: I
started umpiring in the spring of 1975. I was 15 and a sophomore in high
school. It became a career when I was hired to work in minor league baseball.
But you don't know or think of it as a viable career until you make it to the
major leagues since your "career" could be over at any level in the
minor leagues. You don't know if you're going to make it all the way to the top
until you actually get that call.
What is life like for
a minor league umpire versus a major league umpire?: It's the same game of
baseball but they're a world apart. Obviously, the money and benefits are a
huge discrepancy, not to mention job security...something you don't have at any
minor league level. But the difference in media intensity and scrutiny; in
travel both in transportation (all first-class airfare by contract); but also
the types of hotels you're consistently staying at; in clubhouse amenities
(including having your uniforms and gear, that are in a big bulky trunk, air
freighted from city to city). In Triple-A you carry your gear, a real headache,
getting all of your equipment comped including undergarments for both cold and
warm weather, in trips home on off days (you don't get too many off days in the
minor leagues and rarely can afford to fly home) not to mention you get four
weeks during the season off in the big leagues, and of course the consistent
level of play you see day in and day out.
What do you remember
most about your first major league game?: It was a one game call up on
August 19, 1985...a make-up game from a rain out earlier in the season. I was
in Omaha and flew (all of maybe 20 minutes) to Kansas City to work third base.
I was very nervous but of course trying not to show it. George
Brett was playing third and when he came out to start the game he said ‘hello
Dale.’ I said hello back. He then said, ‘your first game?’ I actually looked
down then said, ‘do I have a wet spot or something, how did you know it's my
first game?’ He laughed, ‘no wet spot, I just hadn't seen you around!’ We both
got a pretty good chuckle out of that.
Which hitter and
pitcher that you personally saw were the most talented?: I've seen many
outstanding hitters and pitchers in 32 years of service. To name a few hitters:
Wade
Boggs, Kirby
Puckett, Ken Griffey
Jr., Paul
Molitor, Robin Yount,
just to name a few. Pitchers: Nolan Ryan,
Randy
Johnson, Roger
Clemens, Justin
Verlander, and many more.
What is the one game
you umpired that you will always remember most?: So hard to pick one game
when you have worked almost 4,000 regular season and 91 post season games. If I
had to say one, it would be my first World Series; Game 3, October 20, 1998, New
York Yankees at San Diego. My first post season plate game, Seattle at New York
Yankees Game 2, October 4, 1995 (15 innings) and World Series Game 3, Arizona
at New York Yankees, October 30, 2001 are both right up there.
Were managers like
Earl Weaver and Billy Martin really as intense as their legacies?: I didn't
have Weaver much; only one season (1986, my first). I was the last umpire to
eject Billy Martin, on Memorial Day, 1988 in Oakland. He ended up throwing dirt
on me and was suspended three games. He came back for a few weeks and then was
fired, never to manage again. Both men were extremely intense and not easy to
umpire, as they always had something to say... especially when you're a rookie
or rather new on the staff.
Did you consider
coming out publicly earlier in your career?: No, in fact I did everything I
could to conceal my sexuality as I tried to carve my own path as a MLB umpire.
Things and society changed and by the time I came out publicly in December,
2014, there was same-sex marriage in several states (including California where
Mike and I got married in our backyard on November 2, 2013) and earlier that
year MLB hired Billy Bean as Ambassador of Inclusion in a major outreach in
professional baseball to be inclusive. It just seemed that I was being pretty
hypocritical by not being honest after all the progress that had been made. My
coming out was not a shock to the umpires on the staff nor the people I worked
for on Park Avenue. It was however news to teams, fans and the media. I'm happy
I did make that decision and I'm proud to be the first active male official in
the five major sports (Baseball, Football, Basketball, Hockey and Soccer) to
come out publicly.
What, if anything,
would you have done differently in your umpiring career?: In retrospect,
nothing. I had a great career, making it to the big leagues at age 26, working three
World Series and three All Star Games, crew chief for 16 of my 32 years, I have
no regrets.
Do you ever think
about the possibility of your potential induction in the baseball Hall of Fame?:
Not at all. I think in the history of baseball, some 150 years, there are only
10 umpires in the Hall. I personally think there should be more and have
several names that deserve it, but the Hall is very stingy even considering
umpires, let alone voting them in.
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You can check me out on Facebook or follow me on Twitter @historianandrewI have also authored a number of books (eBook and paperback) on topics of baseball that are available on Amazon.
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