Umpire Pat Hoberg disciplined by MLB for violating gambling rules

Umpire Pat Hoberg has been disciplined by MLB for violating the league’s gambling rules.

The Athletic reported Friday that MLB had taken disciplinary action against Hoberg, who is appealing. The exact punishment handed to Hoberg has not been publicized. The case is also pending because of Hoberg’s appeal.

MLB issued a statement about the matter and said the league began an investigation into Hoberg this spring.

“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. Mr. Hoberg has chosen to appeal that determination. Therefore, we cannot comment further until the appeal process is concluded.”

Hoberg has not umpired a game during the regular season this year.

The 37-year-old Hoberg is regarded as one of the best, if not the best, umpire in MLB when it comes to calling pitches behind home plate. Hoberg drew widespread attention in 2022 for umpiring a perfect game during the World Series.

Hoberg began umpiring professionally in 2009, first umpired MLB games in 2014, and became a full-time MLB umpire in 2017. He umpired postseason games every year from 2018-2022.

Though MLB and other professional sports leagues have been promoting sports betting, MLB maintains a strong stance when it comes to those involved with the sport violating gambling policies. Just last week, MLB announced that a Padres player had been banned for gambling on his own team’s games.