MLB Umpire Larry Young Named NASO Gold Whistle Recipient

(RACINE, Wis.) — Major League Baseball umpire Larry Young has been named by the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO) as recipient of its 2002 Gold Whistle Award.

The Gold Whistle Award is presented annually to an official recognized for community involvement, achievement in officiating and a reputation of strong integrity and ethics. Young is the fourth MLB umpire to receive the award since its inception in 1987. Larry Barnett (1991), Steve Palermo (1993) and Durwood Merrill (1998) were previous honorees.

The award will be presented during a banquet honoring Young on Sunday, June 23, at the Albuquerque, (N.M.) Marriott Hotel. Fox 40 International will host the banquet, at which several past Gold Whistle Award honorees will be present. The banquet is part of the activities surrounding the NASO "Successful Officiating 2002" conference that concludes the following day.

NASO President Barry Mano will present the award to Young, whose accomplishments will be featured in the 7/02 issue of Referee magazine.

Young, the 15th Gold Whistle Award recipient, is being recognized for his work with Special Olympics in his home state of Illinois.

"I can think of no one more selfless than Larry when it comes to giving his time, money and support to helping the Special Olympics program," said longtime friend and official Dan Manning of Rockford, Ill. "Larry is not only a friend to Special Olympics, but to the entire community. He not only demonstrates his leadership with ideas, he’s an active participant in everything."

Young’s dedication to Special Olympics has been a lifetime commitment.

"My sister has benefited from Special Olympics throughout the years as a participant in many of their programs," Young says. "I’ve seen her develop confidence and self-esteem that would have never happened without the support of the Special Olympics program."

Young serves the state’s northwestern district’s program in a variety of ways. He coordinates and schedules officials for the numerous events, conducts an annual golf tournament during baseball’s All-Star break and serves on the programming committee for a major auction each fall. In addition to providing funding Special Olympics, the event provides funds for a local charity designated by committee members.

"It’s a great way to keep others involved on the committee and builds fantastic teamwork," said Duey Hoff, a longtime friend of Young who also officiates in Illinois.

Young downplays his "star status" as a professional official, but it was one of his early on-field mentors who directed him to reach out and use such status to make a difference.

"Larry Barnett is one of my heroes," said Young. "He does so much for veterans and as a young official I saw him in action. His example led me to understand how important it is to give back to others."

The 48-year-old Young begins his 17th season in the major leagues this year. He is married, has two daughters and lives in Roscoe, a small community near Rockford in the northwest corner of Illinois.

His love of officiating began as a teenager when he aspired to "be like Jake" (O’Donnell) and "become a major league baseball umpire and NBA referee just like he was. But by the time I got to that level you had to make a choice because seasons overlapped and no longer were officials able to work both sports at that level. I chose baseball and I’m glad I did."

His road to the pros included being a certified official in the Illinois High School Athletic Association, advancing through the college ranks and working amateur ball in the Big Ten and the Alaskan League. He attended the Bill Kinnamon Umpire School and then hit the pro circuit working the Florida Instructional League, the Midwest League, Eastern League, the Puerto Rican League and the American Association. He joined the American League staff in 1987 and is now a crew chief.

Last summer Young became famous overnight, not for an umpiring decision, but for a "baseball blooper." During a game in Arizona between the Diamondbacks and the Cardinals, Young was struck in the face when he inadvertently got in the way of a throw from Diamondbacks second baseman Jay Bell to first baseman Mark Grace. The ball struck Young just above his left eye and created a gruesome sight of blood running down his face and spilling on to the field.

"At first it just hurt a bit and I didn’t think anything of it until Mark came over and said, ‘Larry, you’re really hurt.’"

"Then all of sudden, it started to hurt really bad," Young laughs. "Thanks to the Cardinals medical staff, they took care of me right there in the lockerroom. It’s not the way I want to be remembered, but I guess for now, that’s my claim to fame."

After becoming the 15th Gold Whistle Award honoree, Young may have something else for which to be famous.

"I really didn’t believe it when I first was told I would be getting this award," said Young. "It means a lot to be recognized by your peers and this is a great honor. I’m speechless right now but hopefully I can put the words together to properly thank everyone in Albuquerque."

The Gold Whistle Award was created in 1987 by the NASO board of directors. It recognizes the efforts of outstanding citizens who also happen to be sports officials. The award’s criteria emphasize a candidate’s sports career, overall integrity and service to the community.

To be eligible for consideration for the award, a candidate must have a minimum of 10 years experience as an active official but does not have to be currently active to be selected for the award; must exhibit a "service above self" attitude demonstrated by a record of community involvement, public service or other engagements which clearly have had a positive, motivating effect on others; and must be regarded as a person of integrity who possesses the qualities held in high regard by the community of sports officials. Lastly, the candidate must have a consistent record of presenting officiating in a positive light to the world of sports in general.

Previous Gold Whistle Award winners are former director of NFL officiating Art McNally and fellow NFL officials Jim Tunney and Tom Dooley; NBA referee Tommy Nuñez; MLB umpires Barnett, Palermo and Merrill; NHL officials Ron Asselstine and Paul Stewart; the late amateur football official Ed Myer; the late Pete Pavia, a sporting goods store owner and longtime collegiate basketball official; educator and NCAA basketball official Ed Hightower; Iowa High School Association Executive Director Bernie Saggau; and longtime amateur sports official and trainer Ted Butcher.