Who's Really On First? Former MLB Umpire Talks About The Issues Of Sexual Orientation In Public And Private Life

Chestertown, MD, November 8, 2002 — Washington College's Office of Student Development Programs, Center for the Study of the American Experience, Student-Athlete Mentors, Campus Events and Visitors Committee, and the EROS Alliance present “WHO'S REALLY ON FIRST?”, a lecture by former Major League Baseball umpire Dave Pallone, Thursday, November 21, 2002, at 7:30 p.m. in the College's Norman James Theatre. The event is free and the public is invited to attend.
Pallone worked for 18 years as a professional umpire, 10 with the National Baseball league. His 1990 best selling autobiography, Behind the Mask: My Double Life in Baseball, explored his life as a gay man in professional sports. As the third youngest umpire in the game's history, Pallone demonstrated courage and professionalism amidst the adversities, enmities and controversies of Major League Baseball. He has shared his unique perspectives on professional sports and the issues of sexual orientation through numerous television and radio programs, including Larry King Live, The Today Show, Phil Donahue and CBS Morning. In 1995, Pallone appeared on stage with tennis great Martina Navritilova at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, for a candid conversation about their personal and professional lives—the first time two prominent, openly gay people in professional sports appeared on stage. Pallone was also featured in ESPN's 1998 documentary, “Homophobia in Sports,” and was recently named as one of the 100 Men of the Century by Genre Magazine. He has brought his program “Who's on First?” to dozens of colleges and universities and, through his work, has made a significant contribution to society by educating and enlightening people to the not-so-openly-discussed realities and issues of sexual orientation.