Ted Barrett

Edward George "Ted" Barrett (born July 31, 1965) is an umpire in Major League Baseball. He joined the American League's staff in 1994, and has worked throughout both major leagues since 2000. Barrett wore uniform number 12 (previously worn by Terry Cooney) while on the American League staff, then changed to 65 when the American and National League umpiring staffs merged in 2000.

Early life

Barrett grew up in North Tonawanda, New York and Mountain View, California. He earned a degree in kinesiology at Cal State-Hayward in 1988. In college he was captain of the football team. Prior to pursuing umpiring, he was an amateur boxer. Played high school basketball for Vance Walberg, inventor of the dribble drive offense.

Umpiring career

His professional umpiring career began after he attended the Joe Brinkman Umpire School in 1989, and he worked his way up to the Pacific Coast League for the 1993 season. He made his major league debut in 1994. For the next five seasons, Barrett served as a fill-in umpire for vacationing or injured major league umpires. Barrett was one of the 25 umpires promoted in the wake of the Major League Umpires Association's mass-resignation strategy in July 1999. His five years of experience made him one of the most experienced of the 25 umpires called up to fill the sudden vacancies.