You commit the crime, you’re going to serve some time.
Major League Baseball has taken disciplinary action against umpire Pat Hoberg for breaching its gambling regulations, as detailed in a statement provided to Ken Rosenthal and Evan Drellich of The Athletic.
The statement outlines the league’s actions, stating, “During this year’s spring training, Major League Baseball initiated an investigation into a possible breach of MLB’s sports betting policies by umpire Pat Hoberg. Mr. Hoberg was subsequently removed from his on-field duties while the investigation was underway. Although the investigation concluded that there was no evidence to suggest that any games officiated by Mr. Hoberg were compromised or manipulated, MLB still found grounds for disciplinary action.”
Mr. Hoberg has elected to challenge this decision, opting to appeal. “Mr. Hoberg has chosen to appeal that determination. Therefore, we cannot comment further until the appeal process is concluded.”
Commissioner Rob Manfred is slated to oversee the appeal proceedings for Hoberg’s punishment, details of which remain undisclosed at this time.
Adding to the narrative, Jeff Passan of ESPN reported that the 37-year-old umpire has vehemently denied any involvement in betting on baseball. Hoberg reinforced his commitment to the sport and its integrity in a separate statement reported by Bob Nightengale of USA Today. “I have devoted my adult life to the profession of umpiring, and the integrity of baseball is of the utmost importance to me,” he asserted. “I look forward to the appeal process, and I am grateful that the Major League Baseball Umpires Association is supporting me in this appeal.”
Pat Hoberg, who has not officiated any MLB games this season, has been a professional umpire since 2009 and ascended to a full-time major league role in 2017. His credentials include officiating in the 2022 World Series.
This incident with Hoberg is part of a broader issue of betting scandals that have rocked baseball this season.
Notably, Ippei Mizuhara, former interpreter for Shohei Ohtani, admitted guilt in bank and tax fraud charges after siphoning nearly $17 million from the Los Angeles Dodgers star to cover his gambling debts.
Moreover, San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano received a lifetime ban for violating MLB’s gambling policies. Similarly, Oakland Athletics pitcher Michael Kelly, along with minor leaguers Jay Groome (Padres), José Rodríguez (Philadelphia Phillies), and Andrew Saalfrank (Arizona Diamondbacks), were all handed one-year suspensions for their involvement in betting activities.
