When Ted Barrett evaluates an aspiring umpire, he first considers two factors. The candidate must be strong enough to handle the physical rigors of the job, and have the humility and curiosity to continue learning.
Another trait, though, might matter most of all to Barrett, who retired in 2022 after 29 seasons as a major-league umpire. It is something he saw in Jen Pawol.
“Will they have the perseverance to spend 10 years in the minor leagues?” Barrett said Thursday. “So that was a discussion I had with her. I wanted to give her those expectations and (explain) that there’s no guarantees and no promises. And even through all that, she said, ‘I want to give this a shot.’ Whenever someone says that to me, I want them to give them every opportunity.”
Pawol took the chance, embarked on the journey and never veered from the path. She will make her major-league debut Saturday in Atlanta, working the bases in a doubleheader between the Braves and the Miami Marlins. Then she’ll have the plate Sunday.
With that, Pawol will become the first female umpire in MLB history. The close-knit community of umpires will now have a trailblazer among its ranks, and Chris Guccione, the crew chief in Atlanta this weekend, welcomed Pawol warmly.
