Joe West is set to break the record for most games as a major-league umpire with No. 5,376 when he works the Cardinals-White Sox matchup in Chicago on Tuesday.
Now 68 and a Lake County resident, North Carolina native West started out in 1976 — the first time he worked the plate, knuckleballing Hall of Famer Phil Niekro was throwing to Braves catcher Dale Murphy.
West will break the mark set by Bill Klem, who worked from 1905-41 and was known for his complete control in making running games. “It ain’t nothin’ till I call it,” he supposedly said.