“I like going to Wrigley Field,” he said. “The Cubs fans are great. They like to see them win, but they really don’t care whether they win or lose. They’ve got a great fan base and a lot of energy around the ball park. The city of Chicago is just great, with all of the restaurants and they have day games. We can actually work like human beings and go out to dinner at a decent hour of the night.”
During his visits to schools around the region, Holbrook stresses the importance of hard work to reach the pinnacle.
“(To be a major league umpire), there is a long process that you have to go through,” he said. “I just tell them about that and what the odds are of ever actually making it (to the big leagues).”
Holbrook overcame the odds and is living the dream.
“I’ve been very blessed,” he said. “When I was hired in 1998, the union was in dispute with management and I lost my job for two years, and then got it back through the court system. I’m thankful for it every day. I’ve got another 12 years before retirement, but I love it. It’s a great job and I couldn’t see myself doing anything else.”
