Nicknamed Country Joe and Cowboy Joe after recording several country
songs. Has performed at the Grand Ole Opry. Voted by players in 1999 as
one of the three worst umpires in the National League. One of 22 major
league umpires that resigned as part of a labor bargaining action.
Awarded U.S. Patent No. 5,530,966 on July 2, 1996, for a "protective
garment for baseball umpires having an inner cushioned layer and an
outer layer of interconnected plates". Quarterbacked Elon College to
three conference championships. Elected to Elon Sports Hall of Fame in
1986.