Tim Timmons – Wild Business Growth Podcast #130: MLB Umpire, All-Star for UMPS CARE

How does one become an MLB Umpire? They’re the best of the best at what they do, yet they’re constantly being yelled at by fans, players, and managers. This week’s Wild Business Growth Podcast guest, Tim Timmons, knows the life and journey of an MLB Umpire as well as anyone out there – he is one. Tim has been umpiring in the big leagues for over two decades, including the World Series, several playoff series, and multiple All-Star Games. Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and your other favorite podcast platforms.

What is the Wild Business Growth Podcast?

Wild ideas. Wild growth. Every Wednesday morning a new entrepreneur or innovator joins the Wild Business Growth Podcast to share the crazy creative and unusual ways they grew their business, and provides tips for you to do it, too. Hear the woman who became the voice of Siri, the man who’s reinventing the sandcastle, how GaryVee’s partners are turning the wine world upside down, and more wild stories. Hosted by Max Branstetter (that’s me), Founder and Podcast Producer at MaxPodcasting.

Episode 130: Tim Timmons – MLB Umpire, All-Star for UMPS CARE

Tim Timmons, the MLB Umpire, joins the show to share his journey from growing up loving baseball to umpiring in the big leagues for over two decades, including the World Series, several playoff series, and multiple All-Star Games. Hear his most memorable moments on the field, the lessons he’s learned from baseball, how he partners with UMPS CARE, questions from Wild Listeners and the Tim Timmons Fanclub, and an ejection that belongs in Cooperstown. This episode covers everything from the impact of Tim’s father to the funniest thing Tim’s seen happen on a baseball field. Here’s a small sample of what you will hear in this episode:

• What were sports like for Tim growing up
• What was the moment he got called up to the big leagues
• How do you keep your focus with so many people yelling at you
• How do you become an MLB Umpire
• What does UMPS CARE mean to Tim
• What was the most memorable moment of his career
• What does Progressive get right with their commercials
• What is it like ejecting someone from a game

Donate to UMPS CARE at UmpsCare.com.

Enjoy the shooooow! Check out the show notes below for much more detail.

Show Notes

• Intro & Growing up With Baseball
  • [0:23] I was not meant to be an umpire
  • [0:37] Email me at to save time with your high-quality podcast and use it as a business-building tool
  • [0:47] “Who’s on First?” by Abbott & Costello
  • [0:53] Donate to UMPS CARE at UmpsCare.com
  • [1:56] MLB (Major League Baseball)
  • [2:34] Thank you Amy from UMPS CARE!
  • [2:43] Thank you Danny aka The Big D! Tim Timmons Fanclub
  • [3:30] Facebook
  • [3:42] What were sports like for Tim growing up
  • [3:51] R.I.P. Jack Timmons
  • [4:28] Muskingum University, New Concord, OH – Shoutout Ohio!
  • [4:43] Did all MLB Umpires used to play baseball
  • [5:14] Umpire School, Central Ohio Baseball Umpire Association, London High School
  • [6:00] The Ohio State University
  • [7:05] Minor Leagues, Spring Training
  • [7:20] How many people are in the Tim Timmons Fanclub
  • [8:07] Did Tim take an officiating view to sports as a kid
  • [9:37] Double-A (AA)
  • [9:57] Obstruction, Interference, Shoutout Leslie!
  • [11:52] NFL (National Football League)
  • [12:02] Business
• Becoming and Being an MLB Umpire
  • [12:41] When did Tim know he could become an MLB Umpire
  • [13:42] Dentistry, Accounting
  • [15:46] Real Estate
  • [15:57] Per Diems
  • [16:29] Triple-A (AAA)
  • [16:49] ER (Emergency Room)
  • [18:00] How similar are the Minor Leagues for players and umpires
  • [18:36] Association of Minor League Umpires (AMLU) – Union
  • [20:48] Big Leagues
  • [21:13] Podcast Editing
  • [21:54] Pine Tar
  • [22:42] Beach Cologne from Seinfeld
  • [23:30] What was the moment Tim got called up to the big leagues
  • [23:38] Montreal Expos
  • [23:55] The Godfather Theme
  • [24:32] Arizona Instructional League, Arizona Fall League
  • [25:00] Home Plate (literally)
  • [26:12] Single-A (A)
  • [27:12] Errors
  • [27:47] What is the biggest challenge as an umpire
  • [29:36] Knuckleballer
  • [31:09] Randy Johnson vs. Tim Wakefield, Fenway Park
  • [31:14] Batter’s Eye
  • [31:36] How do you keep your focus when so many people hate you
  • [32:57] Comedy
  • [33:32] Crowd Noise
  • [34:14] Save time with your high-quality podcast. Email me at to bring your podcast to life and use it as a business-building tool

• UMPS CARE Charities
  • [35:07] What is UMPS CARE
  • [35:33] BLUE for Kids
  • [36:03] Build-A-Bear
  • [37:05] UMPS CARE Scholarships
  • [37:22] Undergraduate, Tuition, Charity
  • [38:41] What does UMPS CARE mean to Tim
  • [39:09] SportsCenter
  • [39:17] 2018 World Series, Boston Children’s Hospital
• Fan Questions from Wild Listeners & The Tim Timmons Fanclub
  • [42:00] Carrie Reagh: What is your favorite guilty pleasure during a game?
  • [42:41] Jackhammer
  • [43:12] Graduate School (Grad School)
  • [43:42] Engineering, Media Collaborative, Stand-Up Comedy
  • [44:38] Danny Berman: Have you ever had to go to the bathroom during a game?
  • [45:13] Danny Schneider aka The Big D: What has been your most memorable moment as an umpire?
  • [45:21] First MLB Game in China, 2019 All-Star Game
  • [45:57] Jersey Shore
  • [46:13] Airbus 320
  • [46:38] Homeland Security, FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation), Local Police, State Police
  • [46:58] Crew Chief
  • [47:28] Honor Guard
  • [47:38] Lineup Cards, Ground Rules
  • [50:08] Leon Chen: How was umpiring Randy Johnson’s 300th win?
  • [50:51] Deportment
  • [51:25] Adam Dunn
  • [51:37] Manny Acta
  • [52:06] How big and intimidating was Randy Johnson
  • [52:58] Goose Gossage
  • [53:47] Trevor Bauer, Gyroball
  • [53:54] Will Zimmerman aka Wild Bill: Do you think you’re the only umpire with a fanclub?
  • [53:59] Mat Wylie aka Mat the Cat: How does it feel to have a fanclub led by a guy named The Big D?
  • [55:18] Mark McGwire
  • [55:56] St. Louis Cardinals
  • [57:13] Porsche
  • [57:32] Columbus, OH
  • [57:55] Tim Timmons: Accomplished Alliteration All-Star

• Wild Business Shoutout of the Week
  • [58:35] Creative Marketing
  • [58:45] GEICO, Progressive, “Dr. Rick – Group Outing“
  • [58:59] Phil Marcus, David Haber, and Ben Haber on the Wild Business Growth Podcast
  • [59:24] NCIS, Law & Order
  • [59:36] “Dr. Rick – Methods” (No Cussin’, No Fussin’)
• Rapid-Fire Q&A
  • [1:01:40] What is the funniest thing Tim’s seen happen on the baseball field
  • [1:01:55] Lloyd McClendon
  • [1:03:18] Dugout
  • [1:03:29] What were the coldest and hottest games Tim ever umpired
  • [1:03:48] Paul Byrd Snow-Hitter, Rick Reed, Mike Hargrove
  • [1:04:48] Heat Exhaustion, Umpire Cooling System
  • [1:05:02] Chest Protector
  • [1:05:16] How many miles does Tim run a day
  • [1:06:12] What Weird Talent does he have
  • [1:06:35] Raconteur
  • [1:06:43] Vintage Porsche
  • [1:07:34] What was going through Tim’s mind the first time he ejected someone in the big leagues
  • [1:07:57] Jimmy Piersall, Podcast, Google
  • [1:10:17] Donate to UMPS CARE at UmpsCare.com
  • [1:11:13] What are Tim’s final thoughts
  • [1:11:20] Tim throws me out!!
  • [1:11:56] Subscribe to the Wild Business Growth Podcast and tell a friend about the podcast
  • [1:12:04] Check out the Wild Business Growth Podcast on GoodPods, where you can see what your favorite people are listening to
  • [1:12:09] Connect with me on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn at @MaxBranstetter
  • [1:12:13] Save time with your high-quality podcast. Email me at to bring your podcast to life and use it as a business-building tool
  • Theme music: Freestyle Percussion Magik – Jungle Tribe – provided by Jamendo

How do you start a podcast?

Interested in starting a professional-sounding podcast for your brand, but dreading the time commitment? I’ve got you covered. Email me at to save time with your high-quality podcast and use it as a business-building tool.

Thanks for listening to Tim Timmons on the Wild Business Growth Podcast. To hear more Wild stories like this one every Wednesday morning, subscribe to the Wild Business Growth Podcast and tell a friend. Until next time, Let your business Run Wild…and Bring on the Bongos!!