Major League Baseball (MLB) has officially dismissed veteran umpire Pat Hoberg after an investigation revealed that he had shared his legal sports betting accounts with a friend who placed bets on baseball games. Additionally, Hoberg was found to have intentionally deleted electronic messages relevant to the league’s inquiry.
MLB’s Investigation and Findings
The probe into Hoberg’s activities commenced in February after a sportsbook alerted MLB about the suspicious activity. As a result, Hoberg did not officiate any games during the previous season. While the investigation found no evidence that he personally placed bets on baseball or manipulated game outcomes, MLB senior vice president of on-field operations, Michael Hill, recommended his dismissal on May 24.
Commissioner Rob Manfred upheld this decision, and Hoberg will be eligible to apply for reinstatement no earlier than spring training in 2026.
Financial Details of the Betting Activity
According to MLB’s findings, the friend in question made 141 baseball-related bets from April 2, 2021, to November 1, 2023. The total wagering amount reached nearly $214,000, with a net win of approximately $35,000.
Manfred emphasized the importance of strict enforcement regarding sports betting, stating, “The strict enforcement of Major League Baseball’s rules governing sports betting conduct is a critical component of upholding our most important priority: protecting the integrity of our games for the fans.”
Despite confirming that Hoberg himself never placed bets or influenced any game results, the league deemed his association with the activity inappropriate.
The Fallout: Integrity and Personal Conduct Violations
MLB determined that Hoberg’s poor judgment in sharing betting accounts with a professional poker player who actively wagered on baseball, combined with his deletion of critical messages, created at least the appearance of impropriety.
Manfred stated, “There is just cause to uphold Mr. Hoberg’s termination for failing to conform to high standards of personal conduct and to maintain the integrity of the game of baseball.”
Hoberg, who made his Major League debut in 2014, was regarded as one of the top-rated umpires for calling the strike zone. His most notable achievement came in Game 2 of the 2022 World Series when he flawlessly called all 129 taken pitches—a feat dubbed an “umpire’s perfect game.” Hoberg’s Response to the Termination
In response to his dismissal, the 38-year-old umpire released a statement acknowledging his mistakes. “I take full responsibility for the errors in judgment that are outlined in today’s statement,” he said. “Those errors will always be a source of shame and embarrassment to me. Major League Baseball umpires are held to a high standard of personal conduct, and my own conduct fell short of that standard.”
Hoberg clarified that he never personally placed bets on baseball or provided inside information to anyone for gambling purposes. “That said, to be clear, I have never and would never bet on baseball in any way, shape, or form. I have never provided, and would never provide, information to anyone for the purpose of betting on baseball. Upholding the integrity of the game has always been of the utmost importance to me.”
He concluded by apologizing to MLB and the broader baseball community and pledged to learn from his mistakes and improve as a person.
The Appeal Process and Future Implications
Under the umpires' collective bargaining agreement, Hoberg had the right to appeal the decision. This led to MLB appointing a neutral fact-finder who compiled a report submitted to Manfred.
MLB disclosed that a sportsbook flagged Hoberg’s account, which had been created on January 30, 2023. Additionally, an electronic device associated with his account was also linked to another account under a different name, which had been used for betting on baseball.
With MLB taking a firm stance against gambling-related misconduct, Hoberg’s case serves as a cautionary tale for league officials and players alike. The incident underscores the ongoing challenges sports leagues face in upholding their integrity amid the widespread legalization of sports betting.