Pat Hoberg, an MLB umpire, was dismissed on Monday for sharing his legal sports gambling accounts with a friend who placed bets on baseball games and for deliberately deleting messages relevant to the league’s investigation.
The investigation by MLB began in February when the sportsbook alerted the league. As a result, Hoberg did not umpire in the previous season. While MLB’s investigation found no evidence that Hoberg personally placed baseball bets or manipulated games, MLB’s senior vice president of on-field operations, Michael Hill, recommended Hoberg’s termination on May 24.
Commissioner Rob Manfred confirmed Hill’s recommendation on Monday. Hoberg, regarded as one of the top umpires for his strike zone accuracy, may apply for reinstatement after the 2026 spring training.
Manfred stated, “Strict enforcement of MLB’s rules regarding sports betting is crucial to protecting the integrity of the game.” He further explained that the investigation revealed no evidence of Hoberg betting on baseball or influencing games. However, Hoberg’s poor judgment in sharing his accounts with a poker player who bet on baseball and his deletion of messages created an appearance of impropriety, justifying the severe punishment.
Hoberg, 38, began his umpiring career in 2009, debuted in the majors on March 31, 2014, and became a regular MLB umpire in 2017. In Game 2 of the 2022 World Series, he achieved an unprecedented “umpire’s perfect game” by correctly calling all 129 pitches, according to Umpire Scorecards.
Hoberg issued a statement taking full responsibility for his actions, expressing shame and regret for his mistakes. He emphasized that he had never and would never bet on baseball or share information for betting purposes, stressing that upholding the game’s integrity was always his priority. He apologized to MLB and the baseball community, vowing to learn from his mistakes.
Hoberg was informed of his firing on May 31 for violating Article 9 (A) of the umpires’ collective bargaining agreement, which mandates high standards of personal conduct and the maintenance of baseball’s integrity. He had the right to appeal Hill’s decision under the labor contract, prompting MLB to hire a neutral fact-finder, whose report was given to Manfred.
MLB stated that the sportsbook notified them that Hoberg opened an account on January 30 last year and that an electronic device linked to his account had accessed a second account, which was used to place betson baseball.