MLB notes: Blown calls lead MLB to stick with vet umps

Stung by a rash of blown calls in the playoffs, Major League Baseball is breaking tradition and sticking with only experienced umpires for the World Series.

Longtime crew chiefs Joe West, Dana DeMuth and Gerry Davis, along with Brian Gorman, Jeff Nelson and Mike Everitt will handle the games, three people with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press this week.

The people spoke on condition of anonymity because an official announcement has not been made.

In 24 of the last 25 World Series, the six-man crew has included at least one umpire working the event for the first time — baseball likes to reward newer umpires, plus replenish the supply of umps with Series experience. In each of the last two years, there were three new umps working the World Series.

WAKEFIELD HAS BACK SURGERY: Red Sox right-hander Tim Wakefield wants to pitch as long as possible after undergoing back surgery. The veteran knuckleballer said he has no plans to retire after Wednesday's operation for a herniated disk that derailed his first All-Star season.

Retirement "never crossed my mind. I was fully confident in what our doctors were telling me," Wakefield said Thursday.

INGE WILL HAVE SURGERY ON BOTH KNEES: Detroit Tigers All-Star third baseman Brandon Inge will undergo surgery on both knees next month.

The team said Thursday that the Nov. 3 procedure at the Detroit Medical Center will address patella tendinitis that plagued Inge throughout this past season.