MLB Disciplines Umpire Pat Hoberg for Gambling Violations | Point Spreads

Major League Baseball announced that it is disciplining umpire Pat Hoberg for violating MLB’s gambling rules, but that’s about all it said. The league didn’t announce what the nature of the discipline is, nor what the violations were. Seeing how Holberg has appealed the decision, the league is unlikely to say more until the matter plays out.

The timing isn’t the best for baseball, which recently gave a lifetime ban to San Diego’s Tucupita Marcano. It’s a bit unusual to see MLB discipline umpires, considering Holberg is viewed as one of the best umpires in the game.

Holberg consistently ranks near the top per websites tracking umpire performance. He was one of the last umpires people expected to see caught in a gambling scandal. After working several games in spring training, Holberg stopped calling any games while MLB completed its investigation. The league did not specify if Holberg was accused of placing MLB bets.

“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.

“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.”

Holberg Appeals Decision

Shortly after the announcement of the MLB disciplining an umpire, Holberg’s attorney released a statement saying he was appealing the league’s ruling.

“I am appealing Major League Baseball’s determination that I should be disciplined for violating the sports betting policies,” Holberg said through his attorney. “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.”

If Holberg is found guilty of betting on games he called, he could receive a lifetime ban. If he’s caught making MLB betting picks on games he didn’t work, he could still receive a one-year suspension. MLB umpires are allowed to wager on other sports. It’s doubtful the MLB disciplines the umpire unless the league believes he wagered on baseball.

The big question will be if it suspects he wagered on games he worked. That doesn’t appear to be the case given the wording of the league’s statement. However, the league was intentionally a bit vague in its statement, so people will have to wait for an updated statement.

Holberg last worked a regular season game on Sept. 17, 2023. He was allegedly injured and didn’t work any playoff games. Holberg worked the World Series in 2022, so was unlikely to be selected to work in consecutive World Series. He did work some games in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

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