Jen Pawol praised after breaking MLB umpire gender

ATLANTA — Jen Pawol breezed through Sunday’s Marlins-Braves recreation as if breaking a gender barrier was just another day on the job.

Considering Pawol turned the first feminine umpire to work behind the plate in the majors, making unprecedented historical past seem to be routine was particularly spectacular.

“I think Jen did a really nice job,” Miami supervisor Clayton McCullough said after Atlanta’s 7-1 win over the Marlins.

“I think she’s very composed back there. She handled and managed the game very well. And big day for her. Big day for Major League Baseball. I congratulated her again on that because it’s quite the accomplishment.”

It was an spectacular cap to a memorable weekend for Pawol. She made historical past in Saturday’s doubleheader as the first feminine umpire to work a regular-season recreation in the majors. She called the bases in the doubleheader before shifting behind the plate on Sunday, putting her in the brightest highlight for an umpire.

Pawol never confirmed any indication of being affected by the eye, even while understanding every call could be carefully watched.

“Congrats to Jen, obviously,” said Braves left-hander Joey Wentz, who earned the win by permitting only one run in 5 1/3 innings.

Asked about Pawol’s calls, Wentz said, “I try not to focus on the zone, to be honest with you. … I thought it was good though.”

There had been few alternatives for disputes as Wentz and Miami beginning pitcher Cal Quantrill mixed for only three strikeouts. The first called third strike got here in the fifth inning, when Pawol used a fist pump when calling out Miami’s Kyle Stowers on a pitch that was close to the sting of the plate.

McCullough was seen in the Marlins dugout with his palms held up as if asking about the pitch call. He said after the sport it’s common to query a close called strike.

“Over the course of the game, there are a number of times that you just are going to be asking for clarity on one, if you aren’t sure,” McCullough said. “So it could have been that.”

The 48-year-old Pawol was called up as a rover umpire, so her next project in the majors has not been announced.

“I wish her the best moving forward as she continues to, I’m sure, hopefully one day be up full time, you know, a permanent big league umpire,” McCullough said.

Pawol also obtained constructive reviews from Braves supervisor Brian Snitker, who on Saturday said, “You can tell she knows what she does.”

Pawol’s work in the minor leagues started in 2016 when she was assigned to the Gulf Coast League. She labored in the Triple-A championship recreation in 2023 and in spring training video games in 2024 and again this yr.

“We certainly didn’t call her up from A ball, right?” Quantrll said. “So yeah, I’m sure she was well prepared. And like I said I think, you know, part of the game moving forward is that if this is normal then we’re going to treat it normal, too. So, you know, I thought it was fine. I think she did she did a quality job. … And yeah, I think she’d be very proud of herself. And, you know, it’s kind of a cool little thing to be part of.”

Pawol spoke to reporters on Saturday when she said, “The dream actually came true today. I’m still living in it. I’m so grateful to my family and Major League Baseball for creating such an incredible work environment. … I’m just so thankful.”

Pawol obtained cheers from followers on both days. On Sunday, some held up “Way to go Jen!” indicators.

Odum writes for the Associated Press.