April 23, 1982

An "Umpire Strikes Back"

Ron Luciano worked as a baseball umpire before joining NBC as a sportscaster. He tells Fresh Air's Terry Gross about the ins and outs of the game, what makes a great player, and his switch to television broadcasting.

54:27

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Guest

Ron Luciano

Host

Terry Gross

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Transcripts are created on a rush deadline, and accuracy and availability may vary. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Please be aware that the authoritative record of Fresh Air interviews and reviews are the audio recordings of each segment.

Former Major League Baseball Umpire Ron Luciano was known for his flamboyant style. His book "The Umpire Strikes Back," was a hot, and Luciano has written a follow-up "Strike Two." He shares humorous stories about his career in MLB and discusses some of the colorful characters working in the sport today.

Interview

Ron Luciano

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August 18, 2011

36:46

Covering The Plate: A Baseball Catcher Tells All

Brad Ausmus has been called one of the best catchers in baseball. He spent 18 seasons in the big leagues, playing for teams like the Dodgers and the Padres. He details what it's like to couch behind home plate, deal with umps and make pitching calls.

Interview

Brad D. Ausmus

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April 9, 2009

37:07

Bruce Weber: How To 'See 'Em' Like A Pro

In his new book As They See 'Em, the journalist provides an insider's perspective on the dedicated umpires who face angry fans, disgruntled coaches and poor pay for the game they love.

Interview

Bruce Weber

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An "Umpire Strikes Back"

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Covering The Plate: A Baseball Catcher Tells All

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