Angel Hernandez is reportedly stepping down from his career as an MLB umpire, with an official announcement expected later this week.
After a controversial thirty-year tenure, this news has sparked a flurry of reactions across social media, highlighting some of Hernandez’s most debated calls.
Bob Nightengale of USA Today was the first to report the impending retirement, suggesting that an announcement from Hernandez could come as early as Tuesday. His decision to retire doesn’t come as a surprise to many, given his recent performance issues and longstanding grievances with the MLB, including a lawsuit he filed over not being selected for World Series assignments.
Hernandez was notably ranked as the least effective umpire in the league last season, and his performance in 2024 showed little improvement, leading to speculation that the MLB might have been ready to part ways with him.
The news of his retirement quickly spread across various media outlets, and it didn’t take long for social media to light up with comments. In a humorous twist, the LASIK eye surgery company joined in, playfully trolling Hernandez on multiple platforms.
The LASIK company repeatedly posted the same jesting comment, “We tried to give him free LASIK,” across various news updates about Hernandez’s retirement. This cheeky marketing ploy capitalized on Hernandez’s notorious record of questionable calls, suggesting that even corrective eye surgery might have been a useful tool for the umpire.
As Hernandez prepares to leave the MLB, his departure is likely to be met with relief and celebration from many fans and players who have criticized his officiating over the years.
His retirement, controversial as his career, has unexpectedly turned into a unique marketing moment for LASIK, highlighting how even the end of an umpire’s career can catch the eye of savvy advertisers.
