Called Out but Safe: A Baseball Umpire's Journey

by Al Clark, Dan Schlossberg, Marty Appel (Foreword)

If an umpire could steal the show in a Major League game, Al Clark might well have been the one to do it. Tough but fair, in his thirty years as a professional umpire he took on some of baseball’s great umpire baiters, such as Earl Weaver, Billy Martin, and Dick Williams, while ejecting any number of the game’s elite—once tearing a hamstring in the process. He was the first Jewish umpire in American League history, and probably the first to eject his own father from the officials’ dressing room. But whatever Clark was doing—officiating at Nolan Ryan’s three hundredth win, Cal Ripken’s record breaker, or the “earthquake” World Series of 1989, or braving a labor dispute, an anti-Semitic tirade by a Cy Young Award winner, or a legal imbroglio—it makes for a good story.


 

Called Out but Safe is Clark’s outspoken and often hilarious account of his life in baseball from umpire school through the highlights to the inglorious end of his stellar career. Not just a source of baseball history and lore, Clark’s book also affords a rare look at what life is like for someone who works for the Major Leagues’ other team. 


 

Genres: Baseball, Biography, Sports, Nonfiction, Autobiography

236 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2014

Reviews

[Vicki Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

If, as Al Clark would say, you are a baseball fan like I am or a fan of baseball, you will love this book. It is so very readable and gives the reader an insider's view of the game, the players, and the third team on the field, the umpires. Clark's stories of Cal, Bucky Dent, Lou Piniella, and many others are real gems and are told from a point of view that is rarely available, the umpire. Clark is uniquely qualified to tell these stories since he spent thirty years as a professional umpire. I finished the book wishing there was more. It should be on the must-read list of every baseball fan!

[RICK "SHAQ" GOLDSTEIN · Rating 4 out of 5]

RICK “SHAQ” GOLDSTEIN SAYS: 26-YEAR UMP… THROWN OUT ROUNDING THIRD… BUT STILL MAKES IT HOME!”
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As a lifetime baseball fan… who’s read baseball books veritably non-stop for over half-a-century… it was a nice change of pace to read about the National Pastime (at least formerly… if not currently)… from a totally different perspective. The normal perspective is from either a player… a manager… a coach… a team executive… biased or unbiased sportswriters… etc. … but to be taken by the hand through the lifetime of a man who spent twenty-six-years in the Major Leagues as an Umpire… creates a number of unique experiences… that at times you don’t see coming. To follow the dreams of a young man… hoping to reach the Big Leagues… that evolve around the game of baseball… old habits… sway you into almost forgetting mid-stream… that you’re not reading about a player. And then all of a sudden… you’re being educated on the way umpires rotate all their positions on the field based on how many runners are on base and where the ball is… almost like synchronized swimming… albeit… one of the swimmers is wearing a face mask and shin protectors.

Al Clark… along with being the only Jewish umpire in American League history… during his career Major League Baseball changed from a team of umpires specific to each league… to one team of umpires that rotated through both leagues. Al takes you from his childhood in New Jersey with loving parents… all the way to the Big Leagues… with a late life detour into prison… for a bad decision… and association. The book is peppered with anecdotes of famous players… but truth be told… this reader… hoped for more than were provided. It seems that… perhaps… subconsciously Al still tried to heed the most important guidelines that his umpiring career was built around… not to care who won… and to blend into the background as much as possible… because the old saying is that fans don’t pay to come watch the umps and referees.

Surprisingly… the most impactful part of the book… was his four months in prison. The author truly understood… and insightfully shared… what the loss… of one of life’s most valuable assets… freedom… is really like… even in a minimal security prison. So Al… may have tripped up rounding third… and been tagged out… but he certainly… got up… dusted himself off… and still made it home!

[Dan Trefethen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a reasonably engaging memoir by an umpire who served for a quarter century in the Major Leagues. Consequently, there are plenty of stories of players and managers, from the 1970s to the 21st century, that will interest readers and fans of baseball.

I was also pleased to see that the early chapters of explaining the practice of umpiring resembled my own training and twenty years experience as an umpire of youth baseball. I would never presume to compare my abilities and skills to an MLB umpire (70 miles an hour is as fast as I want to see a ball pitched towards me), but I identified with his take on the impartiality of umpiring, despite the feeling of the crowd.

What was different about Al Clark's story was that after he left baseball, he signed some authentication documents that were misused and resulted in criminal prosecutions. Despite having no previous record and not receiving any financial gain, the judge made an example of him as a public figure and sent him to a low security prison for four months. So we also get the story of what it's like to be locked up. That comes towards the end of the book, since it follows after his career, and could be skipped for readers who are there for the baseball stories.

[Adam Cruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to find fault in his mistake and make an example of it much like I want to blame someone for buying a genuine leather anything. Only wished he used better judgment, but can’t we all.

I think he pissed people off for his desire to make a buck, but why not use your unbiased professional position like ball players. Fairness ought to be marketable.

When it comes to the writing style, there were a couple of times I read something and then soon after it was repeated. Otherwise, it was well written.

Actually, I felt his proud moments, and his sad moments. He made good arguments. I enjoyed the book and wish him the best.

Bottom line: He was an honest umpire, and this was an honest book. But we don’t play a game every minute of our lives and we will make mistakes. Not sure this one should have landed him in prison. Thanks

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has its ups and downs. If Goodreads allowed 1/2 stars, it probably would have been 2.5 stars.

Good: There are some good baseball storied in the book, which I enjoyed. And, I think Al is very open with his opinions.

Bad: The book is a bit repetitive at times. Also, while Al is an umpire, I felt he went out of his way to make sure that we know that umpires are unbiased and call the game straight no matter what. I expect him to say that, though I'm not sure I agree with it.

It's a quick read. I probably would have enjoyed it a bit more if I had not heard Al tell some of these stories before.

[Tammy O · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd give this book a 3.5 out of 5. It was very interesting, I didn't know Al had been fired and then incarcerated later in his life. The firing was very unfair. Ask him to pay the difference for the first-class flight and/or suspend him for a few games and move on. Firing him for a late-night oversite after an extra innings game was ridiculous and unfortunate. I know all too well what a bad boss can do to one's life. And then the prison term was also too much for a slight white-collar crime that someone else set him up for. Sounds like he's come out on top and listening to him speak in Cooperstown in 2024 was very entertaining. I will pass onto my uncle and cousins to read.

[Marc Pressley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'll say this: it felt more like a barroom conversation with the former umpire than reading a book. The overall story was good, even if the style was a little repetitive in places. Clark comes across as a knowledgeable and likable personality, and the latter part of the book doesn't paint too much of a "woe is me" picture of Clark's legal troubles. As a read, it's probably of more interest to old-school baseball fans than casual readers.

[Ty Linder · Rating 4 out of 5]

I met the author when I was a teenager on a summer baseball road trip. I had always been an Al Clark fan and was quite sad when he ran into his legal troubles and unceremonious removal from Major League Baseball.

This book is a perfect mix of Al’s life story, baseball anecdotes and his time in prison. There are some great life lessons to be learned simply by turning the pages.

If you are a baseball fan and looking for a quick read that gives insight on and off the diamond, check this out!

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just great!

[mitchell p. kanefsky · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not recommended

No real true insights inside. Sounds like he is testifying at a trial, begging for the Court’s (the reader’s) indulgence.

[Dan Colantuono · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Debby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had the pleasure of meeting Al Clark this summer and sharing some meals with him. Very funny and very honest about the highs and lows of his personal and professional lives.

[Ron · Rating 5 out of 5]

For some reason - the best baseball books are written by the Umpires. This was a great book, a fun read and Mr. Clark opens his life and heart for all to examine. He writes of his journey and doesn't spare anything when he talks about his time in Federal Prison.

If you like baseball and love baseball history and trivia - you'll like this book

Warning. He does use some language that some might find offensive in spots - especially in the prison scenes.

**** for some reason it says I've read this book twice, I have only read it once. I cannot see how to correct that.*****

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like baseball books. I've read a number of them over the past few years, many of them excellent. I like Al Clark's book because it talks about baseball from the perspective of a veteran umpire. There is some good history here that I didn't know, some facets of the game I didn't know, and the expected anecdotes about players, managers, writers, and fans. That said, there is nothing great about this book. It's not the story of a great season, a great team, or a great man. The book IS about a regular guy who found and followed his passion, honed his skills, and became a top practitioner of his craft. Eighty percent of this book could have been the story of almost ANY veteran umpire. But most umpires don't write books, so it's good we have this one.

The opening couple of chapters introduce us to Al Clark in his early and formative years. These chapters are kind of like watching someone else's home movies: not especially interesting on their own but they help the reader get to know the author. Hang in there. The book gets better.

The vast majority of the book deals with different aspects of baseball, as you would expect, and by-and-large was an enjoyable and interesting read.

The proofreaders missed a couple of gaffes. At one point, the California Angels were referred to as the Boston Red Sox. Another time, "Major Leagues" appeared as "Ma124jor Leagues" (page 120).

After his umpiring career ended (and there is a story behind that, of course), Clark ran afoul of the law and spent 4 months in a minimum security prison. His observations and advice from this time of his life are as interesting as those about baseball.

The final chapter gets a little self-indulgent again as we learn his pets' names and his favorite TV shows. Fortunately, this part is short.

All in all, an interesting inside look at MLB from a perspective you don't often get. I liked it. 3-stars.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. I am a fan of baseball but I had never really paid much attention to the umpires. To be honest, I took their calls as gospel and am not one to dispute calls, so for me they just faded into the background. I never realized there was a 'team' of umpires; I only noticed the one calling the balls and strikes and didn't think about the bases.

I notice -- no, I LOOK FOR -- the umpires now when watching a game. It has opened up a whole new perspective for me.

The reason I dropped it down one star is because I thought the editing could have been a little tighter, and because in general, I don't like books written "with" another person. Makes me wonder whose voice I am actually hearing. And there were a couple of areas that could have been expanded upon a little.

I would recommend this to anyone who loves baseball, even if they are only a fan of a certain team.

[Zach Rebackoff · Rating 2 out of 5]

Human

As a former pro umpire, my intake is somewhat different than perhaps a great number of people who were not in the game of baseball or within the ranks of the men in blue. However, what I found more interesting was the humane nature of the author. Knowing what I know about umpires, in general, I found Al Clark to be more rational and intelligent regarding his role and who he was dealing with; that is egotistical and biased individuals who place little or no regard on how they talk and treat umpires. Refreshing attitude.

[William Veronda · Rating 4 out of 5]

great story of a top umpire and how he made calls, especially whether to throw people out. It wasn't profanity, but personal attacks. See the Greek coach in the World Cup just ended. Clark was late jailed for fraud in authenticating baseballs as coming from key events. he spent time in a Federal minimum security prison and shows that contrary to legend, they are pretty nasty places to be with sociopaths all around you.

[Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting book, from a very interesting point of view. Mr. Clark is frank, concise, blunt, and has an opinion. It serves very well for this memoir. He does get a bit Kanye West self-aggrandizingly silly, bragging about his writing ability. Prose it ain't, but there are valuable life lessons, positivity, and clear-eyed viewpoints that more than make up for it. He also is clearly a good schmoozer and businessman. Quite a fascinating life. Fun to read about.

[Mike Tueros · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written by Al Clark, a long time veteran umpire in the American League of Major League Baseball, this novel is fantastic for anyone who is a fan of the game. Providing fun anecdotes, Clark brings his experience to life, and chronicles his journey throughout the game. He gives several nods to my hometown team, Detroit Tigers, including a great tribute to Ernie Harwell, the famous broadcaster. Really enjoyed this book, and the behind the scenes look provided throughout.

[Du · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this book. It was fine, not good, not great, and not all that informative. The author is clearly proud of his former role, and is enthusiastic about an umpire's potential impact on the game of baseball.

All that said, the book was rather bland and not that worth reading. It was a quick read so that was good.

[Donald Harwick · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was surprised that this book was poorly written. The author had a short career as a newspaperman. He often repeated stories and thoughts about baseball and it's people. There was not a flow that developed and thoughts were dropped in mid sentence.

[Scott Breslove · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another very good, honest and forthcoming biography. The writing style was a little choppy and all over the place, but the behind the scenes stories that were share were priceless and you can't get those anywhere but a book like this. All in all a fun read.

[Mark Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok but there are many much better umpire books that are more informative, entertaining, funny or all those at once.

[Lane · Rating 2 out of 5]

the book is interesting and a book a baseball fan will like it but the story could have had more depth. a quick read. a good look at the development of the umpire association.

[Philip McPherson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Loved it. Great read for any umpire or baseball fan of his era. Would love to talk with him and tell war stories

[Mike · Rating 2 out of 5]

A few interesting behind the scenes baseball stories, but not enough for damn near 200 pages.