On this week's show, he studied at Oxford, passed the Illinois bar and runs a real estate law group. Oh, and did I mention he’s also a major league umpire?
Dan Bellino has his hands full calling balls and strikes and plays on the bases while also managing his other life and a family of four! "I’m someone who doesn’t like to sit still. It’s not in my nature” said the veteran arbiter who began his big league career in June of 2008. And of course, it was at Wrigley field where he was pressed into service as a replacement.
He got the call at 5pm, raced to the ball park from his suburban home and even had a police escort part of the way. He made it in time and has been part of the rotation since.
Bellino says the easiest part of his job is being on the field. The toughest is leaving his family. He has three boys but exclaimed he’s not sure he would want any of them umpiring.
But the way things are going, technology might wind up replacing some umpires. As for the future of robot umps Bellino is biased in one regard. “I can’t envision robots behind the plate.” Bellino has plenty more to say about the current state of umpiring and how he juggles his other life in this refreshing and revealing interview.
“Tell me a story I don’t know is sponsored by the Vienna beef company (@viennabeef.com) and by The Paulina Market (@paulina.com).
Make sure to follow/review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.!!
