A professional baseball umpire and observer. After graduating from the Harry Wendelstedt Umpire School, he began his umpiring career in 1986 in the Pioneer League. His professional experience includes working games in the Midwest League, Southern League, Dominican Republic, and the Pacific Coast League. He concluded his on-field professional umpiring career after the 1996 season in the American Association.

In 2009, Malone transitioned to a role as an umpire field observer for Major League Baseball, providing coverage from the St. Louis area. He is a native of the St. Louis area and resides in O'Fallon, Missouri.