(670 The Score) Cubs outfielder Ian Happ has a confession.
“I’m a big Joe West fan,” Happ said.
West, of course, is the most well-known umpire working in MLB and perhaps the most recognizable in the game’s history. West holds the record for the most MLB games umpired, setting that mark back in May, and the expectation is he'll retire at season’s end.
When West does leave the game, Happ will miss him – even if many fans who get agitated by West’s calls won’t. As Happ explained on the Bernstein & Rahimi Show on Thursday, once you get to know West and what makes him tick, he’s much easier to understand as a person and as an umpire making decisions regarding the strike zone.
Happ also had advice for how to stay on West’s good side.
“Joe is really good at, if the pitcher hits the catcher’s glove, he’s calling it a strike,” Happ said. “And if you know that going into the game, then you can understand the process and be OK with it. If the pitcher misses his spot and throws it in the zone and it’s borderline, Joe’s probably not giving that a strike. He’s very old-school in that way. And if he calls a pitch that you think is borderline and you roll your eyes or say something back to him, you’re not getting the next pitch. He’s going to get you again. But if it’s a borderline call and you look back and say, ‘Hey Joe, you got that on the corner? Yup, all right, thanks.’ If you respect him and treat him as he should be treated, he’s going to be favorable to you.
“You just can’t have that terrible reaction to like the 0-0 pitches in the at-bat or it’s going to be a horrible day.”
“He’s a really good guy and it’s great conversation. But you can’t disrespect him on the field or he’s going to make you look silly.”