"I always love Minnesota and the Twins" is what Dale Scott said when I asked him what it was like to umpire Twins games during his career spanning 3,897 MLB games. 

Dale has a very unique story, not just from the point of view as an umpire who was on the field for 3 World Series (including the 2001 series), but 3 All Star Games, and 3 no hitters (including Scott Ericksons for the Twins), but also as a human being. You see, Dale was hiding a secret, for his entire 30+ year career as an MLB Umpire, he was hiding his sexuality. He was gay. 

Dale's story is much more than just being the first gay umpire though, he umpired through death threats from Billy Martin and the NY Mob (yes, for real!), the World Series in 2001, where he talked about the hit off Rivera, to Billy Martin throwing dirt at him, to being the home plate Umpire for Scott Erickson's No Hitter. "He didn't have much control that day, '' Dale recalled.

This interview was a unique one. In the timestamps below, I breakdown what we talked about. 

As a Twins fan, you'll wanna hear the story about Scott Erickson's No Hitter, the Kirby story, as well as the name association game we play.

Also, he reveals that Gary Gaetti may have been psychic on one particularly historic night in Boston, Dale talks about being one of the 5 umpires to eject Tom Kelly in his career. So please give it a listen,

Share, subscribe on YouTube, and comment down below if you like the podcasts or if I should stick to Twins only content. 

https://youtube.com/@MLBTheShowPodcast

https://youtu.be/43jzRFLwmTc

This extra length interview was recorded in January.

• 6:40 - 9:08

 What a typical day in Umpire School was like for him and what working a 2 man umpire system was like. 

• 13:20 - 16:51

What his first professional night as an umpire in 1981 was like in the Northwest League and what he learned about how to be a professional. 

• 25:35 - 29:25

His MLB Debut (1 game) where he got to umpire a game of the defending World Champion Detroit Tigers and how that was for him. He goes into great detail about the game. 

• 29:30 - 31:26

George Brett welcomes him and his hilarious first reaction to Brett "knowing his name"

• 42:57 - 49:10

1988, Former Twins (and current Yankees) Manager Billy Martin throws dirt all over Dale. Dale talks about how he is the last umpire to eject Billy Martin in his career.

• 53:30 - 56:34

How the Billy Martin ejection led to death threats from the NY Mob a few weeks later.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02FVWADVKD1NCuPo4LYL567wA6oZyPa9et6cDJ5FMJAiqmP7Pgy9bgyjdLEKLxGDvYl&id=506813119&mibextid=Nif5oz

• 1:02:16 - 1:05:15

Scott Erickson's No No in 1995. Dale details that day as the home umpire. 

https://www.facebook.com/devlinc1984/videos/931821894630972/?mibextid=Nif5oz

• 1:31:00 - 1:33:20

Gary Gaetti story that you HAVE to hear about the day the Twins turned 2 triple plays in one night. 

https://www.facebook.com/devlinc1984/videos/169588002656678/?mibextid=Nif5oz

• 1:33:22 - 1:34:45

Kirby story you HAVE to hear!

• 1:35:01 - 1:36:20

What it was like to umpire the Twins games specifically. 

• 1:54:50 - 1:55:55

What it was like to come out as an umpire and how two players reacted in ST 2017. 

• 2:10:38 - 

Word Association was so much fun. We talked about several HOFers or all time greats, as well as many Twins. What were his thoughts on them? Find out. Also, see which legendary Pitcher and former Cy Young winner he says was "not one of my favorites".  Who did he describe as "a changed man, much more humble"

Including Twins word association. What does he think of some of the biggest and best names in Twins history? What words does he use to describe them? Find out. The story about ejecting TK for one of the five career elections is outstanding.

Quote

"Kirby was a good guy"