Umpire Pat Hoberg disciplined by MLB over violation of gambling rules

MLB

By Andrew Battifarano

MLB umpire Pat Hoberg has been suspended over allegedly violating the league’s gambling rules, The Post’s Jon Heyman has confirmed.

It’s unclear what the discipline was, but Hoberg is appealing MLB’s decision.

The Athletic was the first to report the news.

According to ESPN, Hoberg has denied betting on baseball.

MLB said it did not find any evidence that Hoberg’s games had been compromised.

“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,” MLB said in a statement to The Athletic. “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.”

Umpires, like players, are explicitly prohibited from betting on baseball, as per Rule 21.

Hoberg, in his own statement, said he is not only appealing the process, but that he values the “integrity” of baseball.

“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,” Hoberg said in his own statement. “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, 37, made his MLB debut in 2014 and worked at least one playoff series from 2018 through 2022, calling the World Series in the latter year.

His discipline comes just weeks after Padres infielder Tucapita Marcano was banned from baseball for life after betting on Pirates games while he was playing for them last year.

He lost all 25 bets he placed on the Pirates while on the injured list last year and only won 4.3 percent of his MLB-related wagers, the league said.