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MLB fires umpire over betting app controversy

Originally posted on MLB on ClutchPoints
By Russell Steinberg | Last updated Feb 3, 2025 4:49 PM ET

Major League Baseball has upheld its decision to fire umpire Pat Hoberg for sharing sports betting accounts with a friend and professional poker player after Hoberg went through the appeals process.

Though baseball bets originated from the shared account, there is no evidence that Hoberg placed any of them. The account placed more than $700,000 in bets, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

“I take full responsibility for the errors in judgment that are outlined in today’s statement [by MLB]” Hoberg said, per ESPN. “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. 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.”

The investigation into Hoberg began last February after Hoberg opened an account “with a licensed sports betting operator in his own name,” per ESPN. MLB found that Hoberg also deleted messages related to the investigation as it was ongoing.

MLB suspended Hoberg pending the investigation and he was inactive for the 2024 season.

MLB releases statement on firing of Pat Hoberg

Home plate umpire Pat Hoberg (31) calls an out in the fifth inning during a MLB World Tour game between the San Diego Padres and the San Francisco Giants at Estadio Alfredo Harp Helu. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

MLB released a statement on Monday after the decision in which commissioner Rob Manfred acknowledged that there is no evidence Hoberg bet on baseball. He did, however, echo Hoberg’s statement in saying that he exercised “extremely poor judgement.”

“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,” he said.

“An extensive investigation revealed no evidence that Mr. Hoberg placed bets on baseball directly or that he or anyone else manipulated games in any way. However, his extremely poor judgment in sharing betting accounts with a professional poker player he had reason to believe bet on baseball and who did, in fact, bet on baseball from the shared accounts, combined with his deletion of messages, creates at minimum the appearance of impropriety that warrants imposing the most severe discipline.

“Therefore, 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 can apply for reinstatement no earlier than Spring Training 2026, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post.

This article first appeared on MLB on ClutchPoints and was syndicated with permission.

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