For the first time in Major League Baseballor in any major professional sporta game official has come out as gay, according to CBS Sports.
Dale Scott has long been out to colleagues but it wasn't made public. He was profiled in Referee Magazine back in October and sent them a photo to use with Scott and Michael Rausch, Scott's domestic partner of 28 years. ( The two were recently married. )
An Outsports reader, himself an active NCAA Division I baseball umpire who is gay, emailed, "Fantastic! He indirectly allowed the outing by letting the picture be released in a national sports magazine. I'm told by a Minor League Umpire friend he has been 'out' for years, quietly, to friends, his crew, etc. His [partner] frequently visits the stadium and travels with them. He is one of the top respected umpires and a crew chief. Wow."
Scott, an MLB umpire for the past 29 seasons, has worked three World Series, in 1998, 2001 and 2004.
Former umpire Dave Pallone came out after he left umpiring, according to NBC News.