MLB umpire Joe West has made plenty of headlines throughout his career. Most have come in spots of controversy, as the story goes with most who decide to become umpires. On Tuesday, Joe West will be cast in a different light though, as he sets out to set a record that has stood for 80 years.
Joe West will be behind the dish on Tuesday for the Cardinals – White Sox matchup and once it gets underway, it will be his 5,376th game umpired, breaking a record that has lasted 80 years for former umpire Bill Klem.
According to the Chicago Sun Times, most believe the record will be impossible to break.
“This record will never be broken,” former umpire Terry Tata says. “It’s almost mathematically impossible.” – Via Chicago Sun Times.
That’s because umpires now work no more than 120 games a season and spend two weeks in the instant replay office in New York, meaning it would take 45 seasons to surpass West.
Considering umpires don’t reach the big leagues until they’re at least 30, it’s hard to imagine a 75-year-old umpire standing behind home plate, particularly with automated strike zones and robot umpires on the horizon.
Joe West has been known for his fair share of super questionable decisions and calls throughout his career. In light of that, here's a trip down memory lane for some of the best.
Joe West will break the MLB record for most games umpired tonight with 5,376
Here he is in 1994 calling a strike on Raul Mondesi for taking too long pic.twitter.com/GTjjO0gpWf
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) May 25, 2021
In honor of Joe West breaking the record for games umpired tomorrow let us not forget when he decided to have a staring contest with Madison Bumgarner in the middle of a game pic.twitter.com/BHpF4h5bvm
— alex (@bantheshift) May 25, 2021
Joe West has security kick out the Nationals GM, a breakdown pic.twitter.com/c0cbFjSUZz
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) May 25, 2021
Joe West vs. @OzzieGuillen 🍿 pic.twitter.com/VB116hbe2v
— White Sox Talk (@NBCSWhiteSox) May 25, 2021
It still may be fair to say it's been a legendary career for Joe West as this record is set to be one that will be near impossible to break.
Although he seemingly has enjoyed being the center of attention, a tip of the cap to Cowboy Joe West on this historic milestone.