Notorious MLB Umpire Wins $500K Suit Against Ex-Player

Joe West sued four-time MLB All-Star Paul Lo Duca for defamation after Lo Duca accused him on a podcast of trading strike calls for off the field favors. A Manhattan Supreme Court judge ruled in West’s favor Monday and ordered Lo Duca to pay him $500,000 plus interest.

Via NY Daily News:

“A major league umpire won a defamation suit against a former Mets catcher who claimed in a podcast a teammate once bribed the other man behind the plate with a ’57 Chevy.

A judge said Paul Lo Duca was way off base when he claimed in 2019 that the umpire, Joe West, changed the strike zone for former Mets reliever Billy Wagner in exchange for the use of his classic car.

West, 68, who has umpired big league since 1976, was awarded $500,000, plus interest after a Manhattan Supreme Court judge ruled in his favor.

Judge John Kelley made a default judgment in the case after Lo Duca didn’t appear in court or answer the allegations in West’s lawsuit.”

Swing and a miss:

Major league umpire Joe West won a defamation suit against former Mets catcher Paul Lo Duca, who claimed in a podcast a teammate once bribed West with a ’57 Chevy.https://t.co/ZjyuVUugKO

— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) April 13, 2021

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Lo Duca made the comments on a 2019 appearance on “The Favorites” sports betting podcast, claiming that West altered his strike zone when Wagner made a relief appearance during a Mets-Phillies game.

West is set to retire at the end of this season. His attorney Kevin Murphy spoke on his behalf.

“Joe is very pleased with this result, and we are glad that Mr. Lo Duca is being held accountable for his actions,” Murphy said.

Lo Duca has yet to respond.

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