Joe West, longtime Major League Baseball umpire, was suspended for three games by the league for comments about Texas Rangers player Adrian Beltre being the "biggest complainer," Deadspin reported.
A June 20 article in USA Today on West celebrated his 5,000th game as a major league umpire and in it he dished on a number of topics, including the designated hitter, instant replay, and the best players.
The MLB brass took exception to West answering a question about who is the biggest complainer.
"It's got to be Adrian Beltre," West told USA Today, appearing to speak in jest. "Every pitch you call that's a strike, he says, 'Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!' I had a game with him recently and the pitch was right down the middle. He tells me, 'that ball is outside.' I told him, 'You may be a great ballplayer, but you're the worst umpire in the league. You stink.'"
Deadspin said MLB handed down the suspension on Tuesday night, saying the comment gave the "appearance of lack of impartiality."
The World Umpire Association, the union for Major League Baseball umpires, issued a statement online defending West along with a tweet stated that it was appealing the suspension.
Beltre, who got his 3,000th hit this season, told the Dallas Morning News he didn’t agree with West's suspension.
"I don't think the suspension was necessary," Beltre said. "I know he was kidding. I didn't think it was a big deal. It's sad that it happened. I guess it was just some miscommunication."
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