#High-risk MLB umpire Joe West has no coronavirus worries

The controversial 67-year-old umpire, who has reportedly been deemed high-risk for COVID-19 by MLB, says he is all in for the shortened 60-game season this year and has no concerns about the virus.

“If this game hasn’t gotten me by now, no virus is going to get me,” West told The Athletic on Monday. “I’ve weathered a bunch of storms in my life. I’ll weather another one.”

According to the report, West informed MLB deputy commissioner Dan Halem on Sunday that he was planning on working this season — much to Halem’s surprise, West said.

“He said, ‘According to our doctors, you’re high-risk,’” West said. “I said, ‘Look, most of these people that they’re reporting are dying are not healthy to begin with. I’ve lost 25 pounds over the winter. I’m playing golf every day in the heat. I’m fine. I’m not going to back down now.’

“I don’t believe in my heart that all these deaths have been from the coronavirus. I believe it may have contributed to some of the deaths. I said, ‘I’m not going to opt out. I’m going to work. And I’m going to work until you take me off the field or I get hurt, whatever. I’m working.’”

As of Tuesday, there had been more than 130,000 deaths in the United States due to coronavirus, according to the CDC. Cases have spiked in states like Florida, Texas and Arizona, all while MLB has begun its spring training 2.0 in hopes of starting a season on July 23.

But for West, beyond downplaying his risk with COVID-19, there is history to chase. The 42nd-year umpire is 65 games short of Bill Kleim’s record of 5,375 career regular-season games as a major-league ump. West wouldn’t be able to break it this season, with only 60 regular-season games scheduled, but could do so early next season.

“If I get sick, I get sick, God forbid,” said West, who told Halem he was “chasing the rainbow” and wanted to be “young enough to enjoy it.”

“I’m going to be careful. I’m careful when I go to the golf course.”