Record-Breaking Umpire Joe West Retiring After MLB Playoffs

The MLB is going to lose one of the best umpires in the game after this postseason. Long-time ump Joe West is calling it quits after 44 years on the job.

West holds the MLB record for most games umpired, and he told ESPN on Monday, this is it and he's ready for his next chapter.

West is 68, and his last game could be coming on Wednesday when he's behind the plate for the NL Wild-Card game at Dodger Stadium. Pretty crazy stat is the fact West has umpired over 5000 games. Here's what West had to say about his longevity:

Breaking the record was the 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

Another awesome 'Joe West Stat'? He's thrown out 192 people and counting, as all eyes will be on the veteran umpire on Wednesday.