Umpire has surprising reaction after getting absolutely drilled with laser throw in ALCS

BarDown Staff

NLCS: Dodgers 4, Brewers 3

Umpires are tough cookies and if you need any more proof then we have just the right clip for you.

The ALCS kicked off tonight between the Houston Astros and Boston Red Sox and umpire Joe West got in the middle of a scary play in the top of the eighth when catcher Chrsitian Vazquez attempted to throw out Jake Marisnick at second base. West took the throw straight to the shoulder and surprisingly didn’t even flinch afterward. Take a look:

Look out, Joe West! 😬 pic.twitter.com/iNmPDtvcYi
— ESPN (@espn) October 14, 2018

Yikes that looked painful.

In case you were wondering how fast the ball was actually thrown, we have your answer. 78.9 miles per hour ladies and gentlemen!

So, according to @statcast, Joe West just wore 78.9 mph on the shoulder on the throw down to second from Christian Vazquez.
— Coley Harvey (@ColeyHarvey) October 14, 2018

Here’s how others reacted to the toss.

Best throw in postseason history
— Mark Teahen (@MarkTeahen) October 14, 2018

Headlines in November: MLB Players Association names Christian Vazquez as Man of the Year.
— Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) October 14, 2018

Christian Vazquez just pegged Joe West with a throw, and Boston will have a parade this October no matter the result of this series
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) October 14, 2018

West showed toughness and proved to be okay, as the Astros went on to defeat the Red Sox 7-2 in the next inning. Guess the cold in Boston might have played a role in tempering the pain.

(H/T CBS Sports)