In the second part of his 2-part interview, Crew Chief and 23-year MLB veteran Ted Barrett joins 12 for 12 to tell some of his memorable run-ins with managers, including the record-breaking ejection of Bobby Cox and the time that Jim Tracy asked Ted to run him from the game. Ted also gives some great recommendations for aspiring professional umpires.

In Part 1 of a 2-part series, Crew Chief and 23-year MLB veteran Ted Barrett joined 12 For 12 to talk about getting into umpiring at a younger age than most, starting his Calling For Christ ministry, his background as a boxer, and working behind the plate for the longest game in World Series history.

Gerry talks with "Cowboy" Joe West about his friendship with country music legend Merle Haggard, closing in on the record for most games umpired in Major League Baseball history, his thoughts on replay and automated strike zones, and overturning the call when Alex Rodriguez swiped the ball out of Bronson Arroyo's glove in the 2004 ALCS. 

In the second episode of this three-part series, Joe West tells stories about Pudge Rodriguez parking in his spot at the stadium, getting a memento from Nolan Ryan after working his 5th no-hitter, and the beginning of his country music career.

Legendary umpire "Cowboy" Joe West joined 12 For 12 to talk about how he first got into umpiring at the high school level, learning something from every umpire he's worked with, and how watching replays has changed throughout his time in Major League Baseball. Part 1 of a 3-part series. 

Gerry talks about the difference between being cordial with players vs. fraternizing during games, and the balance that umpires at all levels need to keep. He also discusses how an umpire’s off-field personality should be reflected by on-field personality.  

Gerry talks about ejecting Michael Pineda for using pine tar during a game between the Yankees and Red Sox in 2014, and what it's like for an umpire to be trending on Twitter. He also addresses the epidemic of abuse that umpires and officials are experiencing at amateur levels. 

Gerry gives a behind-the-"seams" look at his past confrontations with Bobby Cox, Tommy Lasorda, and Darren Daulton. He also tells a story about Mike Maddux asking long-time American League umpire Ken Kaiser which pitch to throw Albert Belle in the middle of an at-bat. 

Gerry answers questions from listeners (To have your question answered on a future episode, e-mail [email protected]). Did you know that being an umpire can be just like being a grocery store clerk? Gerry passes along a fable that he was told as a student in umpire school that explains why. He also tells a couple stories about on-field interactions between Hall of Famers and legendary umpires - one between Tommy Lasorda and Terry Tata, and the other between Barry Bonds and Bruce Froemming.  

Gerry talks about some of the biggest and most memorable games in his career like Kerry Wood's 20 strikeout performance and his first World Series plate job, and the mementos he kept to remember those games forever. He also touches on his relationship with former player and manager Joe Torre, who now oversees the Major League umpires.