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Chicago Area Umpire Chosen For World Series

CHICAGO (CBS) -- A Chicago area native is on the field Tuesday for Game 1 of the World Series.

He's one of the umpires, and CBS 2's Charlie De Mar watched the game with a proud father.

George Randazzo cheered on in Game 1 of the World Series just like any other fan.

It's the biggest stage in baseball, and Randazzo's son Tony is on the field.

Raised in Roselle, Ill., he's now one of the umpires chosen for the World Series.

"My son calls me up and he's crying on the phone. I got nervous like 'whats going on,'" George Randazzo said. "He said, 'Dad I just got a call I just got the World Series. Joe Torre called me!'"

It's a call George and his family have been hoping for. Game 1 is a proud moment for this dad.

"I got kind of emotional because we've been waiting every year for this thing to happen," Randazzo said. "I know how hard this kid worked at this thing."

Umpires, of course, don't take sides. Their job they blend in, not stand out, but don't tell that to George.

"I've seen him in an All-Star Game, but there's a big difference between an All-Star Game and a World Series," he said.

Asked whether his son was raised as a Cubs fan, Randazzo said Tony was more of a Chicago fan, rather than taking a side -- spoken like a true umpire.

Tony's mother was at the game Tuesday night in Cleveland, and George will be at Wrigley Field over the weekend.

Randazzo's umpire assignments:
Game 1 Tuesday in CLE: LF
Game 2 Wednesday CLE: 3B
Game 3 Friday in CHI 2B
Game 4 Saturday in CHI: 1B
Game 5 Sunday in CHI: Home Plate

Tony will ump behind the plate on Sunday, if needed, calling balls and strikes.

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