James Michael Wolf (born July 24, 1969 in West Hills, California) is a Major League Baseball umpire. He joined the major league staff in 1999 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 28.[2] His brother Randy currently pitches for the Milwaukee Brewers.
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Jim is the brother of Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Randy Wolf, which has caused players to accuse him of having a conflict of interest. In September 2003, Florida Marlins catcher Ivan Rodriguez accused him of skewing calls against the Marlins during one late-season series to help the Philadelphia Phillies, his brother's team at the time, beat the Marlins for the wild card. Pitcher Mark Redman also inferred the same but stopped short of fully accusing him. The Marlins won the wild card that year and went on to win the World Series.
If Jim is umpiring a game that his brother pitches, he does not call balls and strikes since doing so would cause him to call pitches in favor of his brother's team. MLB generally avoids assigning him to games involving Randy's team.[3]
Wolf drew 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. Wolf ruled that Lilly had intentionally thrown at the batter's head, and immediately ejected the pitcher. While such a penalty is uncommon without a formal warning to both teams, such action is permitted by baseball's rules.[4]
On October 4, 2001, Wolf served as third base umpire when Rickey Henderson broke Ty Cobb's runs scored record.[5]
On May 9, 2010, Wolf was the home plate umpire for Dallas Braden's perfect game. His crew were also the umpiring officials for Armando Galarraga's near perfect game on June 2, 2010.
On October 7, 2010, Wolf ejected Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon after Maddon argued a call from first base umpire Jerry Meals. Maddon claimed that Texas Rangers third baseman Michael Young had not gone around on a check swing. The next pitch resulted in a three-run home run. Crew chief Tim Welke said: "First base umpire Jerry Meals used his judgement. Obviously it's a judgment call. He felt it [the check swing] was close, but he felt he didn't go, and that's what he said[...] Both Jerry and plate umpire Jim Wolf, I thought, showed a lot of restraint and warned Joe a couple times. Joe kept continuing after being warned a couple times."
On July 9, 2011, Wolf was the home plate umpire when Derek Jeter got his 3,000th hit against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Wolf's crew includes crew chief Derryl Cousins, Jim Joyce, and Marvin Hudson [6]
Wolf was the right field umpire for the single-game playoff to decide the NL's 2007 wild card team, has officiated two Division Series (2007, 2010) and one Championship Series (2011). He has also worked one All-Star Game (2010).
Wolf is married and resides in Ahwatukee, Arizona.