CHICAGO — Joe West broke the file for many video games umpired within the historical past of Main League Baseball as quickly because the Chicago White Sox vs. St. Louis Cardinals recreation was official after 5 innings on Tuesday night time.
West, 68, umpired his 5,376th regular-season recreation, yet one more than Corridor of Fame umpire Invoice Klem, who had held the file since 1941.
“I do know what Lou Gehrig mentioned about being the luckiest man on this planet, however that’s me,” West mentioned Monday, when he tied the mark.
White Sox supervisor Tony La Russa referred to as West “the proper man to set the file as a result of he represents what a variety of umpires ought to be.”
“Very constant. He saved management of the sport, and that’s what an umpire is meant to do,” La Russa mentioned.
The famed San Diego hen offered West with pretend flowers earlier than the highest of the sixth inning bought underway. He was largely cheered by the group when the video board at Assured Price Area introduced the file.
Earlier than the sport, the Oak Ridge Boys, sporting White Sox jerseys, sang the nationwide anthem, per West’s request. At that time, there was a smattering of boos for West. A montage of largely present and former umpires congratulating him aired earlier than the sport, as effectively. It included a message from Garth Brooks.
“It was powerful to carry again a tear or two, however Tom Hanks mentioned there is no such thing as a crying in baseball, so you possibly can’t do it,” West mentioned after Tuesday’s recreation, referring to Hanks’ iconic line within the film “A League of Their Personal.”
“It was a really good factor,” he mentioned.
La Russa started his lengthy managerial profession three years after West umpired his first recreation, in 1976.
“You couldn’t disrespect the sport,” La Russa mentioned. “Joe was going to ensure the sport was performed accurately.”
Although revered inside the sport, followers haven’t at all times taken to West. He has had an inclination to search out the highlight all through his profession. He as soon as kicked out Washington Nationals common supervisor Mike Rizzo whereas Rizzo was watching the sport from the higher deck.
“He umpired with a flare,” La Russa mentioned. “Should you had an outburst, he would let you could have a little bit of it, however you couldn’t go too far.”
West umpired at first base on Monday when he tied the file however had house plate for the record-breaking recreation, which the White Sox gained 8-3. MLB officers had been in attendance together with family and friends. West purchased 116 tickets for the affair.
“It’ll be the most costly recreation I’ve ever umpired,” he quipped.
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