Athletes - Larry Barnett

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	Athletes - Larry Barnett

Lawrence Robert Barnett (born January 3, 1945 in Nitro, West Virginia) is a former umpire in Major League Baseball who worked in the American League from 1969 to 1999 before becoming the major leagues' supervisor of umpires in 2000-2001. His 32 years of AL service surpassed the record held by Tommy Connolly (1901-31), which was tied by Barnett and Don Denkinger in 1998; through the 2005 season, Joe Brinkman has umpired AL games in 33 seasons, although the major league umpiring staffs were merged in 2000. Barnett officiated in 4 World Series: 1975, 1981, 1984 and 1990 (Games 1-2), serving as crew chief in 1981. He also umpired in a record 7 American League Championship Series (1972, 1976, 1979, 1982, 1986, 1991, 1996), and in 4 All-Star games (1973, 1980, 1988, 1997), calling balls and strikes for the last contest.

Perhaps the most controversial call of Barnett's career came in Game 3 of the 1975 World Series, in which he was working behind home plate. In the 10th inning, Cincinnati Reds hitter Ed Armbrister laid down a sacrifice bunt, but didn't immediately run from the batter's box; Boston Red Sox catcher Carlton Fisk committed a throwing error on the play after colliding with Armbrister, which led to the Reds' winning run. Barnett declined to make an interference call on Armbrister, despite Boston's pleas. Barnett's failure to call an interference would be universally criticized as wrong-headed and indefensible, arguably costing the Red Sox the game and the series, by every one of the broadcasters narrating the game except the partsan from a Cincinatti station. In particular, long-time veteran Curt Gowdy was forced out by NBC Sports for having damned the call after Major League Baseball MLB threatened the network on Barnett's behalf. Barnett claimed he had received death threats on account of Gowdy's withering criticism.

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