Joe West has been one of the most well-known umpires in recent MLB history, and for almost half a century, the reason: the wrong markings he made in many games that raised the spirits of managers, players, coaches and the fans in general.
Since everything that begins must end, West will end his umpire career after 45 years working in the majors at the end of the 2021 season, according to a report published by Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe. The 68-year-old veteran could still judge some playoff games.
West made his major league umpire debut on September 14, 1976 at age 23 and has been involved in Major League Baseball for nearly half a century. On May 25, 2021, he set a new all-time record for most games judged when he reached 5,376 games working as the main during the Cardinals-White Sox matchup at Guaranteed Rate Field, surpassing the mark set by Bill Klem ( 5,375). https://www.septimaentrada.com/mlb/umpire-joe-west-anuncia-retiro-despues-de-2021.
Throughout his career he has been in 6 World Series and 10 League Championship Series, in addition to witnessing Nolan Ryan’s fifth no-hitter game, Willie McCovey’s 500 home run and Albert Pujols’ 400 home run. (https://www.septimaentrada.com)