Naylor on greeting trailblazer Pawol ahead of at-bat: 'Kindness is free'

PEORIA, Ariz. -- For all his intensity on the field, there’s a gentler side to Josh Naylor that he says is rooted in “respect and kindness.”

And no moment encapsulated those values more than when the Mariners first baseman stepped to the plate for the first time for Tuesday afternoon’s Cactus League game against the White Sox.

Before looking to do damage with the bases loaded, Naylor made an extended greeting to the home-plate umpire, introducing himself and spreading a wide grin. On the other end of that handshake was Jen Pawol, who last year became the first woman in history to umpire an MLB regular-season game.

“I like to show respect and kindness to everyone, boy or girl, female or male, regardless of race and regardless of gender,” Naylor said. “I just try to be kind. ... It was just like, ‘Welcome back to baseball.' Everyone has been away for so long, and I really enjoy playing baseball, and it's fun to get back into games, so I thought I’d just say, ‘Welcome back to baseball.’”

It’s commonplace to see players greet umpires jovially, and Naylor added that he also connected with the rest of Tuesday’s officiating crew. But his exchange with Pawol nonetheless stood out for how it personified inclusivity, respect and admiration.

“I was just raised to be kind,” Naylor said. “Kindness is free. It's not hard to be a good person.”

Pawol’s trailblazing moment last year came on Aug. 9, when she oversaw first and third base during a doubleheader between the Braves and Marlins. She was then behind the plate the next day.

But she’d been steadily climbing the ranks since beginning her pro career in Rookie ball in 2016. When Pawol reached Triple-A in 2023, she became the first female umpire at that level in 34 years. That September, she was the home-plate ump for the Triple-A Championship. Then in 2024, Pawol became the first female umpire in a Spring Training game since Ria Cortesio in 2007. She was a Triple-A crew chief in '24 and worked more Spring Training games in 2025.

Overall, Pawol worked over 1,200 Minor League games across every affiliate level over 10 seasons before getting called up to The Show last season.

“It’s a great accomplishment for her and the game,” Naylor said.

Tuesday’s gesture was brief, and Naylor went right back to business after. Yet for how effortless it was for him to exercise, its impact went a long way.