- Nicknamed Country Joe and Cowboy Joe after recording several country songs. Has performed at the Grand Ole Opry. Voted by players in 1999 as one of the three worst umpires in the National League. One of 22 major league umpires that resigned as part of a labor bargaining action. Awarded U.S. Patent No. 5,530,966 on July 2, 1996, for a "protective garment for baseball umpires having an inner cushioned layer and an outer layer of interconnected plates". Quarterbacked Elon College to three conference championships. Elected to Elon Sports Hall of Fame in 1986.
- A National League umpire in 1976 and from 1978 to 1999, he resigned in 1999 as part of a labor strategy that failed. He later won his job back, and has served as an umpire in both major leagues since 2002. He worked in the World Series in 1992 and 1997 and in the 1987 All-Star Game, and in six League Championship Series.
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