Boston Red Sox: Eduardo Rodriguez laughs at Joe West strike call

Joe West has been a major league umpire for so long that he was literally a part of the umpiring crew during the first Naked Gun movie. This likely explains his umpiring skills as he is frequently considered to be on par with Frank Dreben behind the plate. On Sunday, one of his strike calls were enough to make Boston Red Sox pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez literally laugh and shake his head in amazement.

Rodriguez fired a fastball that was clearly inside and was on the mound waiting to get the ball back. However, West may have had a late dinner reservation, as he called that pitch strike three to end the inning.

Boston Red Sox pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez cannot believe Joe West’s strike zone

West is not exactly regarded as one of the better umpires in the league. His strike zone is nebulous at best, seemingly changing pitch by pitch based on his whims. He often feels that he should be the center of attention on the diamond, and is somehow under the impression that the fans are paying their hard earned money to see him call a game.

That impression is shared by the players as well. West has a well deserved reputation for being a hothead, escalating situations and then ejecting players and coaches. His antics can be enough to make anyone laugh to keep from screaming in frustration.

In this case, Rodriguez was laughing for other reasons. Everyone in the ballpark knew that his pitch was a ball and that another offering would be forthcoming. That is, everyone aside from West, who was apparently watching a different game than the crowd at Fenway Park.

Sometimes, all one can do is shake their head and laugh. Boston Red Sox pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez did exactly that after Joe West gifted him a strikeout.