Nestor Ceja
Mexican-American baseball umpire (born 1987)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Nestor Narciso Ceja (born April 18, 1987) is a Mexican-American Major League Baseball umpire. He made his first appearance at the Major League level in 2020 and was promoted to the full time umpiring staff for the 2023 season.[1][2][3]
- #68 Chris Guccione (crew chief)
- #86 David Rackley
- #33 Nestor Ceja
- #50 Charlie Ramos
| Nestor Ceja | |
|---|---|
Ceja in 2024 | |
| MLB – No. 33 | |
| Umpire | |
| Born: April 18, 1987 Michoacán, Mexico | |
| MLB debut | |
| August 14, 2020 | |
| Crew information | |
| Umpiring crew | N |
| Crew members |
|
| Career highlights and awards | |
| Special assignments | |
He wears uniform number 33.[4]
Career
Ceja was introduced to professional baseball umpiring when he attended the 2012 MLB Umpire Camp in Compton, California.[1] He graduated from the Minor League Baseball Umpire Training Academy, and worked in the Florida Instructional League and the Midwest League that season.[2] He then progressed through the California League, and was a crew chief in the Texas League, before being assigned to the Pacific Coast League.[5][2] He also worked the 2016 All-Star Futures Game, the Arizona Fall League, and was an instructor at the MiLB Training Academy before making his major league debut.[2]
On August 14, 2020, Ceja made his MLB debut. He was at third base for a game between the San Diego Padres and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. His crew included Cory Blaser at home plate, Chris Guccione at second, and fellow Mexican umpire Alfonso Marquez at first base.[2][6] Marquez became a close friend and mentor to Ceja, who considers him to be "a big part of what [he is]".[7]
Ceja umpired 253 games as a Triple A call up before being hired to full time staff in 2023.[1] He was selected to work the 2024 All-Star Game, and was assigned to the National League Wild Card Series that postseason.[8][9] He was at home plate for game one of the series between the Atlanta Braves and the San Diego Padres.[9]
Personal life
Ceja was born in the state of Michoacán, Mexico, and moved to Los Angeles, California, at the age of one.[7] He attended John F. Kennedy High School before studying at Arizona State University.[4] He was living in LA’s Arleta neighborhood when he began his umpiring career, and currently lives in Texas.[5][4]
