Longtime MLB umpire Joe West to retire after postseason

Oct. 4 (UPI) -- Longtime MLB umpire Joe West has informed the league that he will retire after the 2021 postseason.

The 68-year-old West made the decision after shattering the record for most games umpired -- previously held by Bill Klem -- when he was behind home plate for his 5,376th appearance in May.

"Breaking the record was the goal," West told ESPN on Monday. "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 worked his first MLB game in 1976 and has served as an umpire under six different MLB commissioners. He resigned amid a labor dispute in 1999, but he returned to the league in 2002.

West was later elected president of the Major League Baseball Umpires Association and held that role through 2018. As its president, he helped negotiate the largest umpiring contract in baseball history.

The controversial West, frequently criticized by fans, players and coaches for his strike zone and propensity to eject players from games, will work at least one more game. He will be at Dodger Stadium for the National League Wild Card matchup between the Los Angeles Dodgers and St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday.

"We appreciate the skill, dedication and passion that Joe has brought to the umpiring profession and our National Pastime," MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said.