Major League Baseball umpire Pat Hoberg has reportedly been disciplined for violating the league’s playing rules.
During spring training, MLB began an investigation into Hoberg and a possible violation of playing policies. It did not find that Hoberg manipulated or compromised any game he worked on.
However, MLB maintained its unspecified discipline against Hoberg, according to El Atlético.
Hoberg is appealing the discipline imposed on him.
The appeal process is being heard by Commissioner Rob Manfred and the league has decided not to comment further until the conclusion of the appeal process.
MLB umpire Pat Hoberg has been sanctioned by the league for violating its playing rules.
Hoberg had worked last season, but did not appear in any major league games in 2024.
He became a full-time MLB umpire in 2017 and began umpiring professionally in 2009.
Hoberg, 37, is considered one of the best umpires in the league and even worked the 2022 World Series between the Houston Astros and the Philadelphia Phillies.
During the game in which he worked behind the plate, Hoberg earned a perfect score on the tracking site umpscorecards.com.
Sports betting problems have dominated the headlines this MLB season with former Shohei Ohtani performer Ippei Mizuhara pleading guilty to fraud charges for stealing money from the Dodgers star to pay off his gambling debt.
In addition to Mizuhara, the league recently banned up-and-coming star Tucupita Marcano for life after it was discovered he was betting on baseball. Four other players were also suspended for one year for betting on baseball.
According to The Athletic, the investigation into Hoberg is independent of the sanction against Marcano and the other four.
Hoberg is considered one of the best umpires in MLB and even called the 2022 World Series.
Like players, umpires are also covered by the MLB statute regulating gambling, known as Rule 21.
Anyone who has bet on a baseball game to which he is directly connected – in other words, “any baseball game in connection with which the bettor has a duty to perform” – will be permanently prohibited from playing in the major leagues.
Betting on baseball games in which one does not participate will result in a one-year suspension, and other violations are subject to other punishments.