Umpire Profile
Andrew Klinger
By Gary Reals
Poor us. Anthony Mayer, however, puts it all into proper perspective: “That’s my boy! Am I going to miss him? Selfishly, for me—yes. But for him—not at all. He’s going to be just fine.”
Klinger is so young, he’s been with us only a few years. During that short time, he’s been turning many heads. It was Rob Porter who sooo fortuitously first spied Andrew while coaching his son’s Arlington Little League team in 2019. Upon observing the very young, but astute, LL Blue, “Rob came and found me after the game and gave me his card.” recalls Andrew. Just another great call Rob Porter!
But Andrew reminded Rob he was only 13 at the time, believing he was too young for possible recruitment into MAC. Mr. Porter quietly disagreed with that humble assessment….and continued to keep his eyes on the blossoming teen umpire.
A couple more years passed. Rob made his move: “He was so freaking good! Said to myself I’m just going to try one more time.” This time Andrew said “yes!” Rob prepared very carefully, “I wanted to make sure his first MAC experience didn’t go wrong…and to make sure he was as good as I thought.“
His first MAC game took place in the summer of 2022 at Frank Mann Field. Rob set the table meticulously: Klinger at the plate. Porter on the bases. American Legion: pretty good challenge for a 15-year-old LL umpire, eh! Well, Blues…you know where we’re heading.
“He crushed it!” exclaims Rob, “Andrew is probably the best, AT THAT AGE, MAC has ever seen. He out performed Chris Segal and Brennan Miller AT THAT AGE.” Three years later, I think most of us will agree with Porter’s assessment: Klinger is “the complete package: not just balls & strikes; he knows the rules and applies them instantly and perfectly; he’s cool, composed and poised. I can’t say enough good about him.”
Most of Andrew’s early development was family-based. The tight-knit Klinger clan loves and encourages sports and education. Dad Matt played minor league baseball back in the day. Younger brother Ryan attends Austin FC Academy, a high-level soccer program in Texas.
Andrew just graduated from Washington-Liberty HS, where he did not play baseball. But what he did participate in prepped him perfectly for his young umpire years. If you’ve seen him on the ballfield, you’ll agree Klinger runs like a gazelle. You see, he ran track and cross country at W-L. In cross country this past season, the Arlington High School ended an “extreme drought in recent years,” coming one spot away from the state championship tournament. In track, Andrew ran the 800m and 1600m events, which each require a blend of speed and endurance. He was one of the track team captains for his last 2 years.
Thus, running 90 feet down a baseline or any other distance on a baseball field is easy-peasy for Klinger, cake with icing on top. Rob Porter agrees Andrew’s track & field prowess is a primary ingredient in his umpire make-up, along with overall knowledge of mechanics and rules, plus his personality. That complete package deal!
But Andrew is moving on right now. At UVA, he intends to pursue a BS from the highly acclaimed McIntire School of Commerce. That is the very same program his first MAC partner, one Rob Porter, pursued a few decades earlier. One of Andrew’s letters of recommendation to the folks at UVA was penned with love, respect, and affection by Anthony Mayer. Suffice to say, he was duly accepted.
Andrew Klinger gets this next chapter at UVA, which is sure to set him up for what will become one of the most difficult decisions of his life. Presently, his primary commitment is to earn his degree first. He is not rushing. He is determined not to become distracted. And he also intends to continue some umpiring in 2026, hoping to “keep his game where it is right now.”
Rob Porter, who discovered Andrew at the age of 13, pulled him in at the age of 15, and has watched him blossom into an 18-year-old, is not about to opine on Klinger’s future calls. “It’s just great that he’s keeping all his options open,” says Rob, who recalls “I didn’t know what I wanted either.”
So, Mr. Klinger, your bright blue sky is filled with immense possibilities and vast potential. CEO of a major corporation? High-tech magnate? Major League Baseball umpire? Perhaps something entirely different? Maybe a hybrid career path?
Says Anthony Mayer: “I’m super excited for him.” Rob Porter: “I don’t expect to see another one like him.”
Says Andrew Klinger: “It will be very challenging. Umpiring is certainly not off the table. We’ll see where things take me.”
As the years roll by, Andrew, think big! You deserve it. And do remember it’s not just about the destination. It’s also about the journey that takes you there. Godspeed, young man.
