Umpire Joe West was nailed by a throw from the catcher during the eighth inning of Game 1 of the ALCS on Saturday.
Jake Marisnick was on first for the Houston Astros with one out in the top of the eighth inning and attempted to steal second base. Boston Red Sox catcher Christian Vazquez tried to throw out Marisnick, but his throw sailed off line. West, the second base umpire, was unable to duck out of the way and took the ball off the top of his chest:
On a night of frustrations and oddities here’s another: Vazquez drills Joe West. pic.twitter.com/oSuey7mmn7
— Red (@SurvivingGrady) October 14, 2018
Watch out, Joe West! pic.twitter.com/sCKthd9nkH
— SB Nation (@SBNation) October 14, 2018
The play reminded some of the scene from “Happy Gilmore.”
Joe West – pic.twitter.com/hYeeh0J8tl
— Ross Villarreal (@SportsRV) October 14, 2018
Red Sox fans oddly booed after West got hit, perhaps thinking he prevented the team from getting an out. They really should have been cheering since West stopped the ball from going into center field, perhaps preventing Marisnick from taking an extra base.
West generally loves being the center of attention, but we have to wonder whether a big bruise in this case was worth having a moment in the spotlight.
