Poised behind home plate, his masked face thrust over the catcher's left shoulder, burly (6 ft. 2 in., 210 Ibs.) Frank Dascoli, 48, seemed the epitome of the big-league baseball umpire. His gestures were flamboyant and unmistakable; his concentration was intense. His calls were sure: this season a writers' poll voted him the best ball caller in the business. Relying on his "fast thumb" (he once ejected 18 players from an exhibition game), Dascoli insisted on absolute obedience in every game he worked. But good as he was, Dascoli committed the umpire's unforgivable sin: he lost his temper in public. Fortnight...
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