Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1521025
30 | SIGNATURE MONTANA Brian was acutely aware of the steep challenge ahead. "I knew the odds of me turning pro were very slim," he admits. Heeding his father's advice, Brian approached the school with humility and openness, ready to absorb the nuances of umpiring as if starting from scratch. "My dad told me to go down there with the mindset that I didn't know anything about umpiring... I didn't know if I'd be any good, but I knew the proper way to approach it, at least." His dedication and willingness to learn paid off spectacularly as Brian distinguished himself among his peers, securing a position in the top 10 of his class. is achievement catapulted him into a specialized training program, culminating in an invitation to the Minor League spring training with the St. Louis Cardinals in St. Petersburg, Florida. Brian had achieved his dream; he was now a professional baseball umpire. Brian was assigned to the Pioneer League for his inaugural professional season and found himself in familiar territory among cities like Idaho Falls, Helena, Great Falls, and Billings. "I was thrilled because I hadn't been away from home much, and I was just 20 years old, so being able to go back home for my first professional season was a really amazing experience," Brian reflects. e leagues he once watched as a spectator were now his professional stage. Despite the allure of advancing further, Brian felt a profound contentment, embracing the moment and the journey that brought him there. Yet, his story didn't end there. Brian's career was just beginning to take flight, marking the start of an extraordinary chapter in his life dedicated to the love of baseball and the pursuit of excellence within the sport. In 2000, Brian made the leap to the Triple-A Pacific Coast League, embarking on a journey that would predominantly define the next decade of his career. Within a year of this transition, he caught the eye of Major League Baseball (MLB), earning opportunities to serve as an interim umpire in the big leagues. Reflecting on his early experiences at the apex of baseball umpiring, Brian recalls, "My first exposure to the Major League was in 2001 when I was still a full-time employee of the Minor League," he says. On the Road to the Majors "I did seven games in the Majors that year, and the rest were in Triple-A." Despite primarily officiating in the Minors for the following nine years, Brian's role frequently involved stepping up to the Majors on an as-needed basis. His assignments varied widely, from less than a dozen MLB games in some seasons to over a hundred in others. e culmination of Brian's journey through the ranks came in 2011 when MLB selected him for one of its 76 coveted full-time umpire positions. By the last season, Brian had officiated his 2,000th MLB game—a significant milestone that, when combined with an estimated 1,500 Minor League games, underscores his vast experience and the respect he commands within the sport. As he approaches his 30th year as a professional baseball umpire, Brian reflects on the more profound rewards of his career. "Obviously, stepping onto a Major League field is a huge privilege," he acknowledges. "e greatest part has really been the places I've been able to go and geing to meet a lot of great people who I never would have met otherwise. When I look back at the end, that will be the best part – the friendships and relationships." Achieving the honor to officiate at the World Series represents a pinnacle of success for any umpire, and for someone with Brian's exceptional background, it was a testament to his skill, dedication, and years of hard work. e journey to such a distinguished role in baseball is long and demanding, requiring a blend of youthful vigor, deep expertise, and unwavering patience. Brian outlines the arduous path to the majors, emphasizing the longevity and breadth of experience required. "To break into the MLB, you need to have at least eight to 10 years in the Minors, so youth is helpful," he elaborates. "You then have to work full-time in the MLB and in all three levels of the post-season just to be eligible to be selected for the World Series. Eventually, I got to the point where I'd worked enough post-season to get into the bucket to be considered, and then they also looked at my stats and the year I was having." Reaching the Top Amid the high stakes of the 2023 World Series finale, Brian meticulously clears home plate, ensuring clarity and fairness on the field in a crucial moment of the game. Brian's cousins (left to right), Clara Fox, Megan Fox, and Emma Fox, journeyed from Bozeman, Mont., to witness his officiating prowess in Game 2. Their presence, a testament to the unity and support that fuels Brian's success. Photo credit Brian Knight