MLB UMPIRE LARRY BARNETT

IS MAKING HOUSE CALLS

There is a Major League Baseball Umpire (retired) who is on a personal mission traveling the US, visiting Veteran's Hospital's, and talking baseball.

Umpire Larry Barnett of  "The Armbrister Incident".

 

MLB UMPIRE VISITING VET'S IN GAINSVILLE, FLA

Photo Credit - Gainsville Sun

I'll get back to "The Armbrister Incident" later but I was smiling from ear to ear as I read the accounts of Barnett's venturing into the Veteran's Hospital's around this land and bringing smiles, interest, questions, giving autographs and out 'n out bringing joy and providing a resurgence of memories from these guys who are mostly forgotten. Forgotten by the public, who vacation and guzzle beer, who are given vacation in the name of all veteran's but rarely, if ever, pay tribute or , ye, say a prayer for them. The Vet's living their lives out in hospital's are even forgotten by their families. I can tell you, first hand, they appreciate anyone who would stop in and visit. Anyone.

Anywho...Larry Barnett is in the midst of visiting all the hospitals, all 172 of them, and giving his shot at lifting the spirit's of these boy's, yes boy's, and it appears Larry Barnett is succeeding.

Cornered by a reporter and asked of the current controversy as to VA Hospital care Larry replied; "I believe they get good care...Are there, in 172 hospitals, problems? Probably. The thing that happened at Walter Reed shouldn't have happened. It's sad. Very sad."

Larry Barnett was recently in my area where I learned of "The Armbrister Incident".  One of the Vets asked what his most controversial call was. With no hesitation Larry said; "1975 World Series. Boston vs. Cincinniti. Game 3." It seems Carlton Fisk made a wild throw out into center field then pleaded interference to Barnett to no avail. Boston ended losing the Series and since, in Boston, Barnett's name is "Mudd". (Author's note;I don't write "mud" coz I am aware the phrase comes from the doctor who splinted J.W. Boothe's leg)

Barnett said he has a scrapbook full of death threats and was even threatened to be shot during Game 6. Then Larry told of a story when time was called in a game and Pete Rose was on second, Joe Morgan on First. Morgan walked toward Rose to talk and Barnett walked between the two when Rose said " Larry, get away from me. That guy might be a lousy shot".

Barnett is vigorous and uplifting during his stories. Telling the boys "Raise your hands if you have any question's. Raise 'em high because I don't see so good". And stretching does always then ensue.

Have a BIG question? Here it is, a real question, asked by a Vet in Elsmere, De; "Who was the best player?"

Without a hesitation Barnett quickly listed; Best right handed pitcher: " Jim "Catfish" Hunter", Best left-handed pitcher: "Vida Blue", Best "pure natural hitter" "Rod Carew" and best all-around player: "Al Kaline".

That's all folks! Just wanted to get this message to you.