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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Major League ump discloses he’s gay

Dale Scott, left, pictured with his spouse Michael Rausch in March. (Associated Press)
From Wire Reports

Dale Scott figures he’ll hear plenty of foul language from angry hitters next season. Such is life for a Major League Baseball umpire.

“They’ll still yell at me when a 3-2 slider doesn’t break their way,” he told the Associated Press. “But they’ll be yelling at me because they didn’t like my call, not because I’m a gay umpire.”

Two weeks after Jason Collins retired as the NBA’s first openly gay player, Scott added his name Tuesday to a growing list of gay and lesbian sports figures taking similar public steps. St. Louis Rams draft pick Michael Sam, NBA official Violet Palmer and WNBA star Brittney Griner are among those who have come out in recent years.

Scott didn’t want to make a huge announcement heading into his 30th big league season.

The trade magazine Referee did a profile on the veteran crew chief in October, and didn’t mention his sexuality. But the 55-year-old Scott wanted to share an important part of his life, and made the choice to include a picture of himself with partner Michael Rausch. They married in November 2013 in Palm Springs, California.

The caption in Referee said: “He and his longtime companion, Michael Rausch, traveled to Australia for the 2014 season opener between the Diamondbacks and Dodgers.”

The website Outsports.com later interviewed Scott and posted its story Tuesday.

“It’s not like this was a secret. Major League Baseball knew my situation and it hasn’t had any effect on my career. Zero bearing,” Scott told the AP. “My fellow umpires have known for a long time.”

Johansson marries in Montana

Actress Scarlett Johansson and longtime partner Romain Dauriac were secretly married this fall in Western Montana. The couple tied the knot in the small, scenic town of Philipsburg, Granite County Clerk of Court Carol Bohrnsen said Tuesday.

“It’s a beautiful little spot,” Bohrnsen said.

Johansson and Dauriac, a French former journalist, had been engaged since September 2013. They welcomed a daughter, Rose, in September.

Bohrnsen said the couple went to the Granite County Courthouse themselves to get a license. The document, later filed with the county, shows the wedding took place Oct. 1.

“They were nice people,” she said of the couple. “I thought Scarlett was very personable. A very sweet personality.”

The birthday bunch

Rock singer Ozzy Osbourne is 66. Rock singer Mickey Thomas is 65. Actress Daryl Hannah is 54. Actress Julianne Moore is 54. Olympic gold medal figure skater Katarina Witt is 49. Actor Brendan Fraser is 46. Actress Anna Chlumsky is 34. Actress Amanda Seyfried is 29.