Longtime MLB umpire Welke calls it a career

SARASOTA, Fla. - Longtime umpire Tim Welke is calling it a career at the age of 58. He had his left knee replaced in January, his right one will undergo the same procedure in June.

''I know my body couldn't go any farther. It's a young person's job,'' he told The Associated Press on Wednesday. ''It's the circle of life.''

Played out on a diamond, that is.

Welke worked the World Series four times, including the harrowing, rain-suspended matchup between Tampa Bay and Philadelphia in 2008, plus a bevy of playoffs. He did three All-Star Games, handling home plate last year.

''That was one thing I always wanted to do,'' he said. ''That kind of filled out the checklist.''

In all, he called 4,216 games in the regular season - Joe West is the active leader in the majors with about 600 more.

Welke worked nearly half his games as a crew chief. For a while, younger brother Bill was on those crews. Next year, Bill might switch his uniform number from 52 to 3, the one Tim wore.

Managers, players and fellow umpires often praised Welke for his even-tempered demeanor and ability to control a game without letting emotions escalate.

Welke is the last umpire to toss a manager in the World Series, that being all-time ejection leader Bobby Cox in 1996. His final game was a Reds-Pirates matchup last season, with Pittsburgh trying to lock up home field for the NL wild-card playoff.

''It was a meaningful game, I had the plate, I knew it was my last time,'' he said. ''I walked off the field, I felt great.''

Welke will officially be on MLB disability until Dec. 31. In the meantime, he's looking forward to quality time at home in Kalamazoo, Michigan, with his wife, Patti, sons Ben and Greg, and daughter Lauren, along with four grandchildren. And his dog, a rescue Lab-pit bull mix.

''We call her Chief,'' he said. ''We knew this day was coming when I wouldn't be umpiring. So we needed a Chief Welke in the house.''