MLB umpire Pat Hoberg disciplined for violating gambling policy, reportedly denies betting on baseball

Major League Baseball disciplined umpire Pat Hoberg for violating the league’s gambling policy, MLB confirmed to The Athletic. Hoberg denies betting on baseball and is appealing the discipline. He hasn’t refereed any games this season, but was active last year.

MLB released the following statement to The Athletic:

“During spring training this year, Major League Baseball began an investigation into a possible violation of MLB sports betting policies by umpire Pat Hoberg,” MLB said in a statement issued to Atlético. “Mr. Hoberg was removed from the field during the pendency of this investigation. Although MLB’s investigation found no evidence that games worked by Mr. Hoberg were compromised or manipulated in any way, MLB determined that discipline was warranted Mr. Hoberg has chosen to appeal this determination, therefore, we cannot comment further until the appeal process is complete.”

Umpires are subject to Rule 21, which expressly prohibits players and employees from betting on baseball and from associating with illegal bookmakers. Baseball people can legally bet on other sports. The exact nature of Hoberg’s betting activity is unknown. Rule 21 says that anyone found to have bet on a game they were involved in will be banned from baseball. Other violations are accompanied by a series of disciplinary measures.

“I am appealing Major League Baseball’s determination that I should be punished for violating sports betting policies,” Hoberg said in a statement (via USA Today). “While this appeal is pending, it would not be appropriate to discuss the case. That being said, I have dedicated my adult life to the umpiring profession and the integrity of baseball is of utmost importance to me. appeal process, and I am grateful that the Major League Baseball Umpires Association is supporting me in the appeal.”

Here’s what you need to know about Hoberg and MLB’s gambling penalty history.

Hoberg is considered a strong referee

Hoberg, 37, became a professional umpire in 2009 and was promoted to full-time major league umpire in 2017. He is considered a very good home plate umpire, so much so that he called a perfect game (i.e., no ball and incorrect blows). calls) during Game 2 of the 2022 World Series, according to the referee’s scorecards.

Hoberg worked postseason games every year from 2018-22. He also worked on the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

MLB Gambling Policy

As noted in the introduction, MLB allows folks to bet on sports other than baseball and softball as long as it is legal in their territory. Rule 21 includes two important points.

The first states: “Any player, umpire, official or employee of a club or league, who bets any amount on any baseball game with respect to which the bettor has no obligation to perform, will be declared ineligible for one year.”

The other, which applies to anyone who bets on baseball, states: “Any player, umpire, official or employee of the club or league, who will wager any amount on any baseball game in respect of which the bettor has a duty to perform, will be declared permanently ineligible.”

For a player, the phrase “duty to perform” means the active roster or injured list for the game on which the bet was placed. For a referee, it means being assigned to the game.

Other MLB Gambling Scandals

Earlier this month, San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano was banned for life after it was discovered he bet on baseball while with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Marcano was on the injured list at the time and did not play in any games he bet on, but because he had a “duty to perform” in those games under Rule 21, he was suspended for life.

Padres left-hander Jay Groome, Oakland Athletics right-hander Michael Kelly, Arizona Diamondbacks left-hander Andrew Saalfrank and Philadelphia Phillies infielder José Rodriguez were recently received one-year suspensions for betting on baseball games they were not involved, either as active players or while on the injured list.

Ippei Mizuhara, longtime interpreter of Shohei Ohtani, recently pleaded guilty to bank and tax fraud charges, and could face up to 33 years in prison. Mizuhara is accused of stealing about $17 million from Ohtani through a series of wire transfers. The money was used to pay off Mizuhara’s gambling debts, among other things.

Atlanta Braves minor leaguer David Fletcher is also being investigated by MLB for placing bets at the same illegal sportsbook that Mizuhara used. Neither Mizuhara nor Fletcher would have bet on baseball, but betting on any sport through illegal channels is prohibited by MLB. Earlier this year, CBS Sports delved into more details about other historic baseball gambling scandals.