Jim Wolf

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James Michael Wolf (born July 24, 1969 in West Hills, California) is a Major League Baseball umpire. He joined the major league staff in 2001 after working in the Arizona Rookie League, the South Atlantic League, the California League, the Texas League and the Pacific Coast League.^[1] He wears uniform number 78. He was the right field umpire for the single-game playoff to decide the NL's 2007 wild card team, and officiated in the 2007 American League Division Series.

He resides in Ahwatukee, Arizona. He is the brother of San Diego Padres pitcher Randy Wolf, which has caused players to accuse him of having a conflict of interest.^[2]

Wolf also drew heavy criticism from ESPN announcers after he ejected Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Ted Lilly at the start of a game on June 10, 2007 against the Atlanta Braves for what he perceived as an intentional effort to harm an opposing player by pitching close to the plate. This, despite not having warned either team, is permitted in the Major League Baseball Rulebook, anytime a pitcher throws towards a batter's head.^[3]