SARASOTA, FL (WTVB) – Coldwater High School graduate Tim Welke is calling it a career as a Major League Baseball umpire after more than 4,200 games in the big leagues spread over 33 seasons. ”It went like a snap,” he told The Associated Press on Wednesday. The 58-year-old Welke 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 said. ”It’s the circle of life.” Welke made his Major League Baseball umpiring debut in June of 1983. He worked the World Series four times. He also umpired three All-Star Games, handling home plate last year. 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.
