Author’s note: I want to extend my gratitude to Larry Vanover for taking the time to sit down with me, share his incredible journey, and trust me to tell his story. His humility, strength, and passion for the game are truly inspiring, and it has been an honor to capture his legacy.
Larry Vanover’s umpiring career began on a Little League field in Owensboro and spanned five decades across the Minor and Major Leagues. As the 2024 season ends, he is stepping away from a career that transported him to every corner of this country and beyond.
Answering the call
At 14, Vanover was wrapping up Babe Ruth practice when a local Little League coach approached his team, needing umpires for a game that afternoon. He answered the call, and after the game, the coach put a $10 bill in his pocket. It was then that Vanover said he knew he was on to something.
That first experience set him on a path to answering many more calls, each marking a pivotal step in his career.
There was the time in March of 1988 when the National League Director of Umpiring Ed Vargo called him to umpire behind the plate for an upcoming exhibition game between the Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals, which were going to stop and play at the Louisville Fairgrounds while en route from Spring Training to their respective opening days.
“This was an opportunity for me to prove myself, and I knew I couldn’t mess it up,” Vanover said. “I get up there, walk out on the field, and prepare myself. When it comes time for the plate meeting, I see Pete Rose walking to home plate from the Reds dugout and Whitey Herzog coming from the Cardinals dugout. When I received those lineup cards, I realized I was doing something right, and they were opening a door for me.”
Vanover still hangs on to those lineup cards.
Four years later, in the spring of 1992, Vargo called to offer Vanover a 90-day schedule in the big leagues, with his first game set for the iconic Wrigley Field.
Vanover said Vargo told him, “Kid, you’re my guy. When I need someone to come up, you’re the first on my list, but if you don’t answer the phone, I’m calling the next guy. When I have to get you, I have to get you.”
He took that to heart, staying close to his hotel phone while working in Triple-A and calling a recorder at the MLB offices in New York if he ever had to step away. Vanover explained that there could be a time he might have to board a plane at 6 a.m. for a game that night.
Vanover never made it to Wrigley to debut on the big stage.
Less than 24 hours after accepting the 90-day assignment in the National League, Vanover was the passenger in an automobile accident in Denver that would set his umpiring career back. With broken ribs, a cracked pelvis, and a collapsed lung, his superiors wondered if he would ever call again.
He underwent months of rehabilitation, recovering just in time to call the Arizona Fall League. MLB executive Mike Port was amazed by his determination and noted his work ethic during his recovery.
“I worked my tail off rehabbing,” Vanover said. “Mike Port was running the league. I started slowly and built myself up to calling a full game. Vargo sent retired umpire Nick Colosi to check me out, who told him I was ready for the spring, but he didn’t believe him, so he flew down to see for himself.”
A year passed, and 1992 turned into 1993 when they “called him in” to tell him there are six spots available in the Majors, and he is one of 24 men battling for one.
The National League hired him as a full-time MLB umpire in March of 1993. He worked with legendary figures like Vargo and Al Barlick as his mentors. His major league debut came at Shea Stadium in New York, with the Mets taking on the Expos.
Perhaps his most cherished memory, however, is being named Crew Chief by Joe Torre, then Vice President of Baseball Operations. Torre’s words, “I know in my heart I made the right decision,” still resonate with Vanover, who calls it one of the proudest moments of his life.
Vanover recounted a series of phone conversations with Torre during the 2015 offseason as he went about his usual fitness regimen. He would take his Labrador Retrievers on walks behind the Hines Center in Owensboro, often stopping to sit on a log in the cornfields to take Torre’s calls.
“I told him I was straightforward and that even though I couldn’t promise perfection, I was confident and that whatever happened on the field, I could handle it,” Vanover said.
Torre later saw Vanover at a pre-season meeting in Phoenix and asked if he remembered all those calls. Vanover said Torre told him, “I knew for a fact from being around you and from all those calls that what you said was from the heart, honest, and true. And, they were all the right answers.”
“That was a proud moment – him naming me crew chief,” Vanover said.
A career defined by iconic moments and unforgettable encounters
The 7-hour game
One of the most physically demanding games Vanover ever worked was in Phoenix, Arizona, during a marathon matchup between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Arizona Diamondbacks. Vanover was behind the plate for an exhausting 7 hours.
The game lasted 19 innings and set a laundry list of records, just shy of one of the longest ever played.
“We left the park at 4 a.m. and had to be back for a noon game the next day,” Vanover recalled.
Opening the 2016 World Series
Vanover was able to check another box of his career aspirations when he opened the 2016 World Series between the Chicago Cubs and the Cleveland Indians behind the plate. The Cubs claimed victory in Game 7, with Vanover witnessing the end of the legendary “curse of the Billy Goat.”
“I’ve always been fortunate to be in the right place at the right time, and that was one of those moments,” Vanover said. “When that final out happened, the atmosphere was electric.”
Umpiring Derek Jeter’s final game
Vanover also had the distinction of being behind the plate for Derek Jeter’s final game and last at-bat in Boston in 2014. He said it was a memorable baseball moment, and he was fortunate to be a part of it.
“Being a part of that moment with Jeter, one of the greatest to ever play, was special,” Vanover said. “There was such a sense of respect and history that day. It felt like the end of an era.”
World travels through baseball
Vanover’s career took him far beyond U.S. borders. He umpired international games and tournaments, including three World Baseball Classics in Tokyo, Taiwan, and Puerto Rico. One of the more memorable trips came when he was selected to work a special spring training series in Panama, organized by legendary Yankees closer Mariano Rivera.
“Mariano was donating millions to a hospital in his home country of Panama, and he arranged for the Yankees to fly down to play two exhibition games,” Vanover said. “It was an incredible experience. I got to be the crew chief for the series and even brought my sons, Tyler and Austin, with me. Experiencing the cultures and sharing the experience with my sons was truly special.”
Through baseball, he said he was able to see the world in a way he never imagined.
“I’ve walked on fields in Japan, Taiwan, Canada, Venezuela, Panama, and the Caribbean and been treated first-class and represented not just myself but the game,” Vanover said. “It’s a humbling experience to see how baseball brings people together all over the world. I’m grateful to Major League Baseball for all of these opportunities.”
Vin Scully’s final home series
Another highlight of his career was being on the field during Vin Scully’s last home series at Dodger Stadium in 2016. Scully began his career with the Dodgers in 1950, following them to Los Angeles eight years later.
“Vin Scully was the class act of baseball,” Vanover said. “He never blasted anyone on the field. He’d always move on to the next thing. I always appreciated that. Being there for his last home series was one of those moments when you realized you were witnessing the end of something special. Scully had been announcing for 67 years, longer than I’ve been alive. It was tough to comprehend.”
Maddox and Clemens showdown
In one of the most memorable games of Vanover’s career, he was behind the plate during a historic matchup between two of baseball’s greatest pitchers—Greg Maddux and Roger Clemens. The 2006 game at Wrigley Field marked just the sixth time in MLB history that two active 300-game winners faced each other, with Clemens pitching for the Astros and Maddux for the Cubs.
He said both Hall of Famers had superb outings, and he was fortunate to once again “be in the right place at the right time.”
The Big Red Machine
Then, there’s the visit to his dressing room at Great American Ballpark from several members of the iconic 1975 and 1976 Reds, who were at the ballpark and needed a place to “kill time” before a Hall of Fame celebration at the ballpark.
Tony Perez and Joe Morgan knew Vanover from their time as a manager. Vanover said it was a unique experience.
Instant replay
Vanover’s career has been filled with moments that transcend the ordinary, from participating in historic games to contributing to the evolution of the sport.
One of the most groundbreaking experiences came in 2014 when Vanover made the first-ever instant replay call in Major League Baseball. MLB had just implemented the new system, and Vanover was stationed in the replay room in New York when the moment came.
“We were sitting there, waiting for the first call, and the light flashed on my station,” Vanover said. “Managers were curious about how it would work. Rick Rentería challenged the call, and I was the one to review it. Afterward, everyone in the room — the media, executives, and tech people — disappeared. We had just made history, and I was a part of it.”
Hall of Fame representatives later collected Vanover’s name and the tech’s name, Timothy Akins, along with the microphone and headset he used during the review. Those items are now displayed at Cooperstown in the Professional Baseball Hall of Fame.
The journey
Vanover played varsity baseball at Daviess County High School under head coach Randy Embry. Just one year removed from a state championship, Vanover said he played on a talented squad that narrowly missed another deep postseason run.
His path to the major leagues was anything but conventional. While attending Brescia University, where he pursued an engineering degree, and the University of Kentucky, where he pursued an architecture degree, he regularly umpired high school and junior college games.
“I walked on at the University of Kentucky and made the baseball team. That was an accomplishment in itself,” Vanover said. “They hired a new head coach, and my playing career was cut short, but umpiring continued to fuel my passion for the game.
At 21, Vanover hit the road to St. Louis on a whim, where he decided to sit outside Busch Stadium, where the umpires entered and exited, hoping to encounter one and learn more about the craft.
After a suggestion from an MLB scout, Vanover attended Harry Wendelstedt’s umpire school in Florida. Wendelstedt and his umpiring colleague, fellow Kentucky native Randy Marsh, quickly noticed his talent.
“I just decided I needed to meet a Major League umpire and figure out what this was all about,” Vanover said. “So I went to St. Louis and hung out by the stadium, hoping for a chance.”
After waiting outside a door near the field, Vanover finally got his break when John Kibler, a respected MLB umpire, walked out and invited him over.
“He said, ‘Come here, kid, I hear you want to talk,’” Vanover recalled. “That was the first time I spoke to a real Major League umpire. That moment stuck with me.”
He spent 12 years in the minor leagues, teaching at Wendelstedt’s academy in the winter and making ends meet by driving UPS trucks in Owensboro during the offseason. He said he developed his strong work ethic from his parents.
“My dad was a WWII veteran, maintenance foreman, and truck driver, and my mom was a bookkeeper here in town. They taught me the importance of hard work,” Vanover said. “That’s what helped me survive the minor leagues and helped me sustain the longevity.”
Vanover’s tenure in the majors spanned four decades, during which he worked approximately 3,500 official games.
“I was always called a workhorse, not a show pony,” Vanover said, laughing. “It’s just about showing up every day, doing the job, and earning respect on the field.”
Post-game recap
While the on-field accolades are abundant, Vanover remains grounded in his faith. He quickly thanks God for the opportunities and blessings that have come his way throughout his career.
“Without God, none of this would’ve been possible,” Vanover said. “Every game, every moment on the field, was part of a bigger plan. Doctors questioned if I was going to make it after the wreck, but His strength helped me get through and continue my career.”
In reflecting on his career, Vanover said he’s humbled by the greats he’s crossed paths with, including U.S. presidents George W. Bush and George H. W. Bush, as well as several U.S. Senators. He’s even had personal tours of the Capitol and been on Air Force One.
He also expressed gratitude to umpiring legends Joe West, Bruce Froemming, and Doug Harvey, who all played pivotal roles in shaping his journey.
Rounding third and heading for home
Vanover said faith, family, and the love of the game are the pillars of his life. As he steps away from the daily grind of professional baseball, he looks forward to spending more time with his family — his wife Dianne and son Austin, his Labrador Retrievers, and his horses.
“I couldn’t have accomplished any of this without the support of Dianne and my family,” Vanover said. “It’s not easy being all over the country, but they have supported me every step of the way, and I’m grateful for that.”
Vanover is not planning on leaving the sport entirely though. He’s played a pivotal role in the resurrection of the American Legion Post 9 Bombers, and he wants to make sure they win their fifth state title in a row next year, offering youngsters in the community a positive outlet.
“It’s important to give young people in our community a positive place to go and something meaningful to be a part of,” he said. “I’m thankful for the support from the veterans – they enjoy being involved just as much as the kids do.”
As he rounds third and heads for home, he’s confident he’s left behind a legacy of integrity, professionalism, and dedication.
“When I walked off the field for the last time, I knew I did it the right way. I respected the game, the players, and the umpires I worked alongside,” Vanover said. “I’ve been blessed beyond measure, and now it’s time to give back, to enjoy the simple things in life, and to thank God for this incredible journey.”
As baseball continues to evolve with analytics and technology, Vanover remains a steadfast reminder of the romanticism of the game — a kid from Owensboro, Kentucky, who got to live out his dream on the biggest stage of them all.
“Umpiring is an art, not a science,” Vanover said. “There’s an art to walking out there, functioning, surviving, and earning each club’s respect. It’s more than just calling balls, strikes, safe, or out. It’s about making it all come together.”
