Umpire Joe West was at it again on Saturday, making sure he would be part of the game story for the second day in a row during the Chicago Cubs-Philadelphia Phillies series.
During the top of the 8th inning, West confiscated a sheet of paper Phillies reliever Austin Davis was carrying in his back pocket that contained notes/scouting information.
Here’s a portion of the Joe West Ump Show, playing in Philadelphia two nights running! https://t.co/QYkQmZjwUc
— John Stolnis (@JohnStolnis) September 2, 2018
According to Chicago Sun-Times reporter Gordon Wittenmeyer, West after the game cited a rule stating that pitchers are not allowed to have a foreign substance on the mound as his reason for confiscating the sheet.
West: "I know all the players now carry a cheat sheet like this. Until the office tells me I can let the pitcher do it, I can’t let him do it. … I didn’t want to throw him out. I know it’s foreign but he’s not trying to cheat." https://t.co/FnjKuEIjql
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) September 2, 2018
Phillies manager Gabe Kapler came out to ask why West took away the sheet but left after hearing the answer.
This is an issue the league will have to address over the offseason. On Friday, it was Chicago MVP candidate Javy Baez who was upset with West.
