Joe West: Legendary MLB umpire sets career record for games

Umpire Joe West #22 gets a hug from Dan Bellino #2 as Nic Lentz #59 and Bruce Dreckman #1 watch as West prepares to umpire a record breaking 5,367th game between the Chicago White Sox and the St. Louis Cardinals at Guaranteed Rate Field on May 25, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois.

Umpire Joe West, third from left, poses for photos his fellow umpires, St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Shildt (8) and Chicago White Sox manager Tony La Russa before a baseball game Tuesday, May 25, 2021, in Chicago. West set a record of 5,376 games when he worked Tuesday night's game.

Umpire Joe West, second from right, is applauded by the umpiring crew after a video tribute to West, who is will break the record for most games as a major league umpire with No. 5,376 when he works the Cardinals-White Sox baseball game Tuesday, May 25, 2021, in Chicago. From left are Nic Lentz, Bruce Dreckman, West, and Dan Bellino.

Umpire Joe West talks with Chicago White Sox analytics coordinator Shelley Duncan (49) and St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Shildt (8) as West's crew of Bruce Dreckman (1) Nic Lentz (59) and Dan Bellino listen before an interleague baseball game Monday, May 24, 2021, in Chicago. West tied the major league record for games umpired.

Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon is restrained by right fielder Kris Bryant and home plate umpire Joe West after being ejected from the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on July 4, 2019.

Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco argues a foul ball call with umpire Joe West during the tenth inning against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on June 26, 2019.

Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Joc Pederson yells at umpire Joe West after being ejected as manager Dave Roberts stands in between during the ninth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on Sept. 24, 2018.

Umpire Joe West stands on the field during a baseball game between the Cleveland Indians and the Washington Nationals in Washington on Sept. 28, 2019.

Home plate umpire Joe West in the third inning in a game between the Minnesota Twins and Pittsburgh Pirates at Target Field on Aug. 14, 2018.

National League catcher Yadier Molina of the St. Louis Cardinals takes a photo of American League player Nelson Cruz of the Seattle Mariners and umpire Joe West in the sixth inning during the 2017 MLB All-Star Game at Marlins Park on July 11, 2017.

Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon argues with umpire Joe West during the ninth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on Sept. 12, 2016.

San Francisco Giants left fielder Angel Pagan argues with umpire Joe West as San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy looks on during the eighth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at AT&T Park on July 26, 2016.

First base umpire Joe West tosses Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons in the fifth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field on May 22, 2016.

Houston Astros third baseman Luis Valbuena pleads with home plate umpire Joe West after a play during the eighth inning against the New York Yankees at Minute Maid Park on June 25, 2015. Valbuena was called out on the play at home plate.

St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny is ejected from the game by umpire Joe West during the seventh inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Busch Stadium on June 2, 2015.

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Jonathan Papelbon argues with Umpire Joe West after being ejected from the game against the Miami Marlins in the ninth inning of a baseball game Sunday, Sept. 14, 2014, in Philadelphia.

Minnesota Twins catcher Kurt Suzuki tags Detroit Tigers center fielder Austin Jackson out at home in front of umpire Joe West in the second inning at Comerica Park on May 10, 2014.

Kansas City Royals manager Ned Yostargues with crew chief Joe Westafter getting thrown out of the game against the St. Louis Cardinals during the seventh inning at Kauffman Stadium on May 22, 2011.

Third base umpire Joe West calls out Seattle Mariners shortstop Brendan Ryan at second base as Baltimore Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts applies the tag in the second inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 10, 2011.

New York Yankees starting pitcher Andy Pettitte (46) talks to home plate umpire Joe West in the middle of the fourth inning of Game 6 of the 2009 World Series in New York on Nov. 4, 2009.

New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez does not like Home plate umpire Joe West's call as he strikes out looking in the 3rd inning of Game 6 of the 2009 World Series in New York on Nov. 4, 2009.

First base umpire Joe West, left, ejects New York Mets manger Jerry Manuel after Manuel argued an out call, completing a double play on the Mets, in the third inning of the baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh, Monday, Aug. 18, 2008.

Texas Rangers catcher Gerald Laird tags out Baltimore Orioles' Scott Moore, right, after Moore tried to score on a hit by teammate Gustavo Molina in the second inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 21, 2007, in Arlington, Texas.

Home plate umpire Joe West, right, makes a point with Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel during the sixth inning of the Phillies' baseball game against the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday, June 20, 2007, in Cleveland.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Grady Little argues with home plate umpire Joe West after being ejected in the third inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Saturday, April 21, 2007 in Los Angeles. Little was ejected for arguing balls and strikes.

Texas Rangers' D'Angelo Jimenez, center, argues with umpire Joe West after Oakland Athletics' Bobby Crosby was called safe sliding into second base in the sixth inning of their baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, April 16, 2006.

Umpire Joe West shakes hands with Tommy Lasorda before the start of the 2005 MLB All-Star Game, at Comerica Park in Detroit, Tuesday, July 12, 2005. West was among the 22 umpires who lost their jobs in September 1999 when a mass resignation backfired, then was rehired in February 2002. Now he's an All-Star. West was picked to call balls and strikes during Tuesday night's All Star game at Comerica Park.

Washington Nationals manager Frank Robinson, left, argues with first base umpire Joe West during a game against the New York Mets in the 11th inning of the Mets' 3-2 win, Thursday, July 7, 2005, at RFK Stadium in Washington. Robinson was arguing that the Mets pitchers were taking too much time to take the mound and warm up in the 11th inning.

New York Mets player Hubie Brooks is not happy about being called out by plate umpire Joe West after the tag by Atlanta Braves catcher Bruce Benedict in the fourth inning at Shea Stadium on Wednesday night, May 9, 1984 in New York.