The life and times of "Country" Joe West

Umpire Joe West is unhappy with the Wagnerian length of Sox/Yankees games.

West was the plate umpire for Sunday's opener, which lasted 3 hours and 46 minutes. Tuesday's game was 3 hours and 48 minutes. Wednesday's game moved quicker, lasting 3 hours and 21 minutes even though it went 10 innings.

"They're the two clubs that don't try to pick up the pace," West said. "They're two of the best teams in baseball. Why are they playing the slowest?

"It's pathetic and embarrassing. They take too long to play."

Mariano Rivera responds appropriately.

"It's incredible," Rivera told The Post. "If he has places to go, let him do something else. What does he want us to do, swing at balls?"

[...]

"He has a job to do. He should do his job," Rivera said. "We don't want to play four-hour games, but that's what it takes. We respect and love the fans and do what we have to do, and that's play our game."