ATLANTA — Jen Pawol breezed by Sunday’s Marlins-Braves recreation as if breaking a gender barrier was simply one other day on the job.
Contemplating Pawol grew to become the primary feminine umpire to work behind the plate within the majors, making unprecedented historical past seem like routine was particularly spectacular.
“I think Jen did a really nice job,” Miami supervisor Clayton McCullough mentioned after Atlanta’s 7-1 win over the Marlins.
“I think she’s very composed back there. She handled and managed the game very well. And big day for her. Big day for Major League Baseball. I congratulated her again on that because it’s quite the accomplishment.”
It was a formidable cap to a memorable weekend for Pawol. She made historical past in Saturday’s doubleheader as the primary feminine umpire to work a regular-season recreation within the majors. She known as the bases within the doubleheader earlier than shifting behind the plate on Sunday, putting her within the brightest highlight for an umpire.
Pawol by no means confirmed any indication of being affected by the eye, even whereas realizing each name can be carefully watched.
“Congrats to Jen, obviously,” mentioned Braves left-hander Joey Wentz, who earned the win by permitting just one run in 5 1/3 innings.
Requested about Pawol’s calls, Wentz mentioned, “I try not to focus on the zone, to be honest with you. … I thought it was good though.”
Umpire Jen Pawol stands at third base throughout a recreation between the Marlins and Braves on Saturday.
(Brett Davis / Getty Photographs)
There have been few alternatives for disputes as Wentz and Miami beginning pitcher Cal Quantrill mixed for under three strikeouts. The primary known as third strike got here within the fifth inning, when Pawol used a fist pump when calling out Miami’s Kyle Stowers on a pitch that was near the sting of the plate.
McCullough was seen within the Marlins dugout along with his palms held up as if asking concerning the pitch name. He mentioned after the sport it’s commonplace to query an in depth known as strike.
“Over the course of the game, there are a number of times that you just are going to be asking for clarity on one, if you aren’t sure,” McCullough mentioned. “So it could have been that.”
The 48-year-old Pawol was known as up as a rover umpire, so her subsequent project within the majors has not been introduced.
“I wish her the best moving forward as she continues to, I’m sure, hopefully one day be up full time, you know, a permanent big league umpire,” McCullough mentioned.
Pawol additionally obtained optimistic opinions from Braves supervisor Brian Snitker, who on Saturday mentioned, “You can tell she knows what she does.”
Pawol’s work within the minor leagues started in 2016 when she was assigned to the Gulf Coast League. She labored within the Triple-A championship recreation in 2023 and in spring coaching video games in 2024 and once more this 12 months.
“We certainly didn’t call her up from A ball, right?” Quantrll mentioned. “So yeah, I’m sure she was well prepared. And like I said I think, you know, part of the game moving forward is that if this is normal then we’re going to treat it normal, too. So, you know, I thought it was fine. I think she did she did a quality job. … And yeah, I think she’d be very proud of herself. And, you know, it’s kind of a cool little thing to be part of.”
Pawol spoke to reporters on Saturday when she mentioned, “The dream actually came true today. I’m still living in it. I’m so grateful to my family and Major League Baseball for creating such an incredible work environment. … I’m just so thankful.”
Pawol obtained cheers from followers on each days. On Sunday, some held up “Way to go Jen!” indicators.
Odum writes for the Related Press.
