Veteran MLB umpire Joe West told ESPN in October that he planned to retire at the conclusion of the 2021 postseason. On Friday, the decision was made official.
West, 69, will retire as the all-time leader in games umpired. According to MLB's statement, West umpired 5,460 games during his 45-year career.
West admitted that obtaining the record was his goal. "I thought I would do it last year but the season got a little messed up and I don't think it was right to work until the point of the record then just quit," West told ESPN in October.