MLB umpire appeals suspension following gambling investigation
Pat Hoberg has not been found to have manipulated or compromised games, but league statement says “discipline was warranted”
Major League Baseball (MLB) umpire Pat Hoberg has appealed a decision to discipline him for violating the league’s sports betting rules.
Hoberg has yet to officiate a game this season since being investigated by league the during Spring Training this year, having been removed from the field while the inquiry was ongoing.
While the probe didn’t throw up any evidence that games were comprised or manipulated when Hoberg was an umpire, the league still felt disciplinary action was necessary.
Though there have been no specific details released on the exact nature of the violation or the extent of the proposed punishment, the MLB did release a statement confirming the 37-year-old umpire is appealing against its decision to impose a penalty.
Hoberg as been a full-time MLB umpire since 2017. He worked his first World Series in 2022.
The MLB statement read: “During this year’s Spring Training, Major League Baseball commenced an investigation regarding a potential violation of MLB’s sports betting policies by umpire Pat Hoberg.
“Mr Hoberg was removed from the field during the pendency of that investigation. While MLB’s investigation did not find any 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 that determination. Therefore, we cannot comment further until the appeal process is concluded.”
In a statement, as per ESPN, Hoberg said: “I am appealing Major League Baseball’s determination that I should be disciplined for violating the sports betting policies. While that appeal is pending, it would not be appropriate to discuss the case.
“That said, I have devoted my adult life to the profession of umpiring, and the integrity of baseball is of the utmost importance to me. I look forward to the appeal process, and I am grateful that the Major League Baseball Umpires Association is supporting me in the appeal.”
Hoberg’s case comes amid several gambling cases in the league over recent months.
San Diego Padres’ infielder Tucupita Marcano was issued a lifetime suspension earlier this month for betting on Pittsburgh Pirates’ games in 2021 while with the team.
Meanwhile, Japanese pitcher Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara has pleaded guilty to bank fraud and tax charges after admitting to stealing up to $17m, $5.4m of which he used to try and pay off gambling debts with an illegal bookmaker.
Also, Ohtani’s former Los Angeles Angels teammate David Fletcher is facing accusations of using the same bookmaker as Mizuhara, per reports.