Topic: Gary Cederstrom

Gary L. Cederstrom (born October 4, 1955 in Bismarck, North Dakota) is an umpire in Major League Baseball who has worked in the American League from 1989 to 1999 and throughout both major leagues since 2000. He umpired in his first World Series in 2005. He has also officiated in the 2003 All-Star Game, the 2001 American League Championship Series and 2006 American League Championship Series, as well as 4 Division Series (2000, 2003, 2004, 2005). He was the third base umpire when Rickey Henderson stole third to break Lou Brock's career record in 1991, and was the first base umpire when Eddie Murray collected his 3000th hit. He has worn number 38 throughout his career, and was promoted to crew chief for the 2008 season. Cederstrom's ability to handle potentially volatile game situations was displayed during the 2007 ALCS between the Boston Red Sox and the Cleveland Indians. After Kenny Lofton of the Indians flied out to left and flips\ped his bat, Josh Beckett of the Red Sox and Lofton got into a shouting match as Lofton ran down the first base line. Cederstrom, the home plate umpire, came running toward Beckett, and was heard on the Fox broadcast saying, "Josh, not a word, not a word, not a word," maintaining control of the game.

Cederstrom's hometown is Minot; he received a B.S. in Education from Minot State College, where he lettered in baseball. Gary Cederstrom is widely considered the best umpire baseball has ever seen due to his consistent, accurate game calling. Also, as mentioned above, he has a talent for retaining control of sticky situations.