Generally regarded as one of the best umpires in Major League Baseball, Pat Hoberg has not called a regular season game this year after being investigated, and subsequently charged, last week for an undetermined sports gambling violation.
Investigation Concluded
Major League Baseball has been opaque throughout its investigation of MLB umpire Pat Hoberg, and its disciplinary action recently meted down on one of the league’s most accurate on-field officials. The league has not specified what gambling rules Hoberg violated nor have they disclosed the nature of the punishment.
A statement from the league read as follows: “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.”
What Did He Do?
Based on MLB’s own rules, we can get a general idea as to why Hoberg was charged and what comes next in the process. MLB’s Rule 21 is as follows:
“any player, umpire, or Club or League official or employee, who shall bet any sum whatsoever upon any baseball game in connection with which the bettor has no duty to perform, shall be declared ineligible for one year.”
However, the second part of that rule deals with a more egregious offense, stating, “Any player, umpire, or Club or League official or employee, who shall bet any sum whatsoever upon any baseball game in connection with which the bettor has a duty to perform, shall be declared permanently ineligible.”
Hoberg Appeals
It would appear as though MLB is accusing Hoberg of the less punitive offense, implying that he bet on baseball but not on a game in which he was involved. Yet, the league has not specifically accused Hoberg of betting on baseball and has been evasive in why they have handed down punishment and what that punishment is. Due to Hoberg’s appeal, the league has elected not to comment further.
Hoberg, in a statement, 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.”
Not the First Instance
This is just the most recent example of a violation of the league’s gambling policies, as a much more draconian punishment was levied against San Diego Padres’ infielder Tucupita Marcano who received a lifetime ban from the league for betting on games in which he was a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Marcano’s violations occurred in October 2022 and July-November 2023 in which he placed more than $150,000 in total bets through a legal sportsbook, $87,319 of which was placed on MLB games. However, there was no game manipulation found as Marcano was on the injured list at the time he placed his wagers on the games in which his team was playing.
