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Atlanta – It is not very frequent (or never) that baseball fans stop and encourage the UMP. But when the stadium announcer presented to the arbitrator’s crew before the Braves -Marlins on Saturday, the crowd went crazy. Because occupying his place in the first base, Jen Pawol made the story as the first referee in the history of the majors.
“The dream came true, as the dream really came true today,” Pawol said after the 7-1 victory of the Bravos over the Marlins in the double-head opening game. “I am still living in him, and I am very grateful to my family, Major League Baseball for creating such an incredible work environment, to the referees with whom I work, we have an incredible camaraderie. We are working hard, but we are having fun. And I am very grateful.”
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Archive: The plate referee Jen Pawol takes her position during the first entry of a spring training baseball between the Houston Astros and the Miami Marlins on Sunday, March 10, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (Photo AP/Jeff Roberson, Archive)
From the moment Pawol went out to the field, the multitude of Atlanta let him know that the occasion mattered.
“It seemed that many people began to applaud and say my name,” he said. “That was quite intense and very, very emotional.”
The milestone attracted fans everywhere, including some who bought tickets at the last minute when they discovered that Pawol was called. Karen Schulz, a fan of the Braves for a long time, said a sign that said “we, all the dreamers. Go to Jen!” Schulz compared to witness this historical moment until the moment he saw Hank Aaron Break Babe the home run record of his career of all the “little television” in 1974.
“I think this represents the best of who we are as Americans,” Schulz told Outkick. “It is the American dream. A girl, a little boy, grows, really has a dream, and works hard, and the community supports them, and trains hard, and they win their place. There is no way she has achieved here, all the obstacles on her way. But she wanted to do it. Ten years, sweating or more in the minorities, and she has here. We just need to celebrate.”
Another fan, Rodell Poole, wore a referee shirt for the game in honor of Pawol.
“It’s unheard of, and it’s something that should have happened a long time ago,” Poole told outkick. “I’m glad that it happened here in Atlanta, and we have to come here and support it and let you know, hey, we want you to have a great career and continue doing it.”
Some attendees knew Pawol long before their name reached national headlines. Ed Novy, a Pawol referee and friend for almost 15 years, made a last -minute trip from New Jersey when he received the call.
“She has always been good in this,” Novy told Outkick. “She is dedicated. She works her butt. She is very good, obviously. I wouldn’t be here now if she was not … I am more than excited and proud of her, to call her a friend and see her here.”
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Referee Jen Pawol calls a strike during a spring training game between the Philadelphia and the Miami Marlins at the Roger Dean stadium on March 16, 2024 in Jupiter, Florida. (Rich Story/Getty Images)
The players also felt inspired by Pawol’s historical moment. The launcher of the Braves, Hurson Waldrrep, who had met Pawol a couple of times in Triple-A Ball, called him “really great” to see her in the big leagues.
“I can’t imagine how difficult it was for her to have emerged, you know?” Waldrrep said. “Everyone probably told him it was impossible. They did a big problem, as it should be. And that is great for her.”
The brave manager Brian Snitker measured Pawol’s debut for the same standard he uses for the receivers: “If you leave the stadium, and do not remember who the receiver is, they probably did a very good job.” And the same, he said, goes for the referees.
In a serious note, Snitker added: “Every time someone is coming through the minor leagues … I don’t care who you are, you stay, that’s a difficult job … your trip and what happens and everything. I am happy for anyone who sticks it and grinds a career like that and has the opportunity to be where they want to be.”
The MLB referee, Jen Pawol, walks through the field during a MLB spring training game between the Philadelphia and the Miami Marlins Philis at the Roger Dean Chevrolet stadium on March 16, 2024 in Jupiter, Florida. (Doug Murray/Icon Sportswire through Getty Images)
Pawol said he felt the love of the entire arbitrary community, fans and women who opened the path before her. But now, he has returned to the routine. Pawol will serve as the third -base referee in the second game of the double head of Saturday before taking his place on the plate for the end of the series on Sunday.
“We just have to leave now. We have to do this and make some calls,” Pawol said. “The dream came true today, and has been incredible.”
