[Arnold A.]

On April 14, in Billerica, Massachusetts, Joe Driscoll suffered a massive coronary and passed away.

Who is Joe Driscoll?

He is one of us, part of this grand fraternity of umpiring, part of the brotherhood.

Joe worked 40 years for the United States Postal Service. He operated the clock at Boston College football games. He officiated basketball and football.

But, first and foremost, he was an umpire. He worked the plate in Omaha that was Roger Clemens last collegiate game. He was a man who took umpiring seriously, but understood that it was still a GAME.

Two stories to illustrate the point:

High school playoff game. Two umpires named Driscoll assigned to the contest. On the bases, Joe, the veteran arbiter whom everyone trusted. On the dish, Joe's son, Todd, young, inexperienced. Fears abounded that he would make a bad call and blow the game.

Second inning, steal of second, Joe kicks the call. At the end of the inning, he goes to his son and says "Everyone said you were going to screw up, so I took care of it for you".

Just last Friday, local college game, assisant coach is squawking about Joe's calls on the bases, he responded as he often did in those situations, "I don't speak to caddies".

Joe Driscoll was a great umpire, but an even better person. Godspeed.