The Most Interesting Man in Troy Township

They might not let him touch the art in museums, and sharks don't have a week dedicated to him, but Major League umpire Mark Carlson still has what it takes to be one of the most interesting people in Troy Township.

A Shorewood resident, Carlson recently lunched with senior citizens at the Troy Township office and donated some game-used baseballs and an umpire's cap for a raffle.

Carlson also entertained the crowd with a video montage of some close calls he made last season.

A major league umpire since 1999, Carlson has the distinction of calling the 2003 All Star game and the 2007 National League Division Series.

Carlson, 41, was a catcher on the Parkland College baseball team, according to his biography at mlb.com. He is known for his work with such charitable organizations as Wish Upon A Star.

A life-long Illinois resident, he graduated from Joliet West High School. Carlson also served in the Marines prior to catching on as a big league umpire.

Besides calling balls and strikes in the world's premier baseball league, Carlson is also an accomplished competitive weight lifter. He finished first in last year's state power lifting championship and is competing in the national championship in West Palm Beach, FL, in April.

Carlson is heading down to Florida well before the power lifting national to work spring training in the preseason home cities of the Yankee, Phillies and Blue Jays.