Retired MLB catcher Paul Lo Duca gets sued by umpire Joe West for defamation

Retired Major League catcher Paul Lo Duca is being sued by umpire Joe West for defamation after claiming that relief pitcher and former teammate Billy Wagner bribed the veteran official with use of an antique car in exchange for a favorable strike zone.

Although he is best remembered for his seven years with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Lo Duca teamed with Wagner on the New York Mets in 2006 and 2007, which is when he claims he learned about the arrangement.

As Lo Duca told a podcast in May, Wagner knew of West’s affinity for antique cars, so he would lend the umpire his 1957 Chevrolet whenever he was working in New York.

‘Joe loves antique cars so every time he comes into town I lend him my ’57 Chevy so he can drive it around so then he opens up the strike zone for me,’ Lo Duca recalled Wagner telling him at the time, according to USA Today.

Retired Major League catcher Paul Lo Duca (left) is being sued by umpire Joe West (right) for defamation after claiming that relief pitcher and former teammate Billy Wagner bribed the veteran official with use of an antique car in exchange for a favorable strike zone

As Lo Duca told a podcast in May, his ex-Mets teammate Billy Wagner knew of West’s affinity for antique cars, so he would lend the umpire his 1957 Chevrolet whenever he was in town

West is now suing for unspecified damages, claiming that he never borrowed Wagner’s Chevy and denied ever making favorable calls for the now-former Mets closer.

‘These statements impugn the integrity, honesty and professional fitness of Mr. West and affect his profession as a Major League Baseball umpire,’ read the lawsuit, which was filed in New York.

Furthermore, West is claiming he was never behind home plate when Wagner pitched during those two seasons.

‘In reality, during 2006 and 2007, the two years that Lo Duca played for the New York Mets with Billy Wagner, Joe West was the home plate umpire for a game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Mets only once, Billy Wagner did not pitch at all, and the game ended on a home run, not on called strikes.’

Pictured: A 1957 Chevrolet, although not the one Billy Wagner allegedly lent to Joe West

Lo Duca also claimed to have been ejected by West on 15 occasions during his career, while West’s filing states he ejected the catcher on only once. 

A four-time All-Star, Lo Duca was implicated in 2007 by the Mitchell Report, which claimed he allegedly received human growth hormone from a former clubhouse attendant and steroid dealer.

He has since acknowledged taking steroids. As Hall of Fame inductees were being announced in 2013, Lo Duca tweeted: ‘I took PEDs and I’m not proud of it..but people that think you can take a shot or a pill and play like the legends on that ballot need help.’ 

West remains one of baseball’s longest-tenured and most recognizable umpires. He began working in the profession as a Minor League umpire in the late 1970s before moving up to the Majors Leagues and eventually earning a part in the climactic scene of the 1988 film, ‘Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad.’

West is also a singer-songwriter who performs his own country music under the nickname ‘Country Joe.’ 

Lo Duca is best remembered for his seven seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but went on to play two seasons with the New York Mets during Bill Wagner’s tenure with the team