Alright, let’s talk about this fella, Joe West, the ump. Heard a bunch about him, people callin’ him “Cowboy Joe” or somethin’. Been at it a long, long time, they say. Like, real long.
He’s been wearin’ that blue suit and mask longer than most folks keep a car runnin’, you know? Over 40 years! That’s a heap of baseball games he’s seen, more than you can shake a stick at. They even said he set some record, somethin’ about the most games umpired ever.
Now, I ain’t one for numbers and such, but that sounds like a whole bunch to me. Must love the game somethin’ fierce to stick with it that long. All them hot summer days, standin’ behind home plate, watchin’ those fellas throw the ball. My back hurts just thinkin’ about it!
- They say he made a good chunk of money, too. More than most, apparently. Well, good for him, I say. Earned his keep, he did. Put in the time, worked hard. That’s what counts.
- Folks say he wasn’t always popular. Some players grumbled, I reckon. Can’t please everyone, that’s the truth. But he kept at it, didn’t let the grumbles get to him. Strong as an ox, that one.
Heard he was from North Carolina, same as my cousin Sally’s boy. Guess they grow ’em tough down there. Not afraid of hard work, that’s for sure.
Retired now, they tell me. Guess even the tough ones gotta stop sometime. Probably sittin’ on his porch somewhere, watchin’ the birds. Or maybe teachin’ his grandkids how to call a strike. Who knows?
Anyway, that Joe West, he sure left his mark on the game. For better or worse, folks will remember him. The ump with the funny nickname who stood there for a lifetime, callin’ balls and strikes. Can’t ask for much more than that, can ya?
Seems like he was a leader amongst them umpires, too. Showed ’em the ropes, I guess. Like the old rooster in the henhouse, keepin’ everyone in line. Important job, that is.
Now, I don’t know much about baseball rules or how they pick these umpires, but it sounds like they had a good one in Joe West. A fella who stuck it out, did his job, and left a legacy. That’s somethin’ to be proud of, wouldn’t you say?
So, next time you’re watchin’ a baseball game, think about Cowboy Joe. Remember that fella who stood behind home plate for all those years, callin’ it like he saw it. He might be gone from the field, but his story lives on.
Tags: Joe West, Umpire, MLB, Baseball, Cowboy Joe, Retirement
