A group of five retired Major League Baseball umpires, including former umpire Joe West, are suing their pension plan, claiming they have been underpaid by over $2 million, according to the Associated Press. Filed in late September in a federal court in New York, the lawsuit targets the American Leagues and National Leagues of Professional Baseball Clubs Retirement Income Plan for Umpires and its retirement committee, accusing them of miscalculating the umpires’ benefits and demanding additional compensation.
Joe West, 74, retired in 2021 after a career that began in 1976, during which he umpired a record 5,460 major league games and became known both for his colorful personality and occasional controversies. Previously, West won a defamation lawsuit against former MLB player Paul Lo Duca in 2021 for over $500,000, after Lo Duca claimed West manipulated the strike zone for a favored pitcher in exchange for a vintage car.
West mentioned his history with legal battles, recalling when he approached the retirement committee about the pension issue and was offered a small amount, with MLB’s senior vice president and chief employment counsel, Steven Gonzalez, reportedly saying, “If you don’t like the number, sue us.” Alongside West, umpires Gerry Davis, Tom Hallion, Larry Vanover, and Jerry Layne—who retired between 2021 and 2024—are pursuing the case collectively but as individuals, without involving the umpires’ union, according to their attorney Paul B. Holmes.
A pretrial conference is set for December 11 to address the lawsuit’s progress.
Fan Take: This lawsuit sheds light on the often-overlooked financial struggles faced by those who enforce the game’s rules, reminding fans that umpires play a critical but challenging role in baseball. The outcome could push MLB to reassess how it treats its officials, potentially leading to better support systems that ensure fairness not just on the field, but off it as well.
Source: www.cbssports.com
