MLB maintains firing of Umpire Pat Hoberg over violation of games, though he denies betting on or manipulating games

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Atlanta, Georgia - July 18: Homeplate Umpire Pat Hoberg #31 Pauses Played in the sixth round between Atlanta Braves and Arizona Diamondbacks in Truist Park on July 18, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Pat Hoberg has been a full -time umpire in MLB since 2017. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Major League Baseball maintained his decision to fire Judge Pat Hoberg Monday after it said he had shared a bet with a friend who is betting on baseball.

Hoberg, said MLB, was fired not to “maintain the integrity of the game” when he shared sports betting accounts with a friend who is a professional poker player. Hoberg apparently deleted deliberately messages that were central to MLB’s study of his behavior.

Hoberg has refused bets on baseball either directly or indirectly, and data from the accounts do not show that any baseball inserts were placed from his own electronic devices. MLB also said there was no evidence that Hoberg or anyone else was trying to manipulate games.

“I take full responsibility for the mistakes described in today’s statement (by MLB), Hoberg said in a statement. “These mistakes will always be a source of shame and embarrassment for me.

“Major League Baseball Umpires are kept to a high standard of personal behavior and my own behavior came under this standard. That said, to be ready, I never and would never bet on baseball in any way, form or form. I have never delivered and would never give information to anyone for the purpose of betting on baseball.

Hoberg debuted as MLB as a referee in the 2014 season, and he became a full -time judge in 2017. Des Moines, Iowa, natives have long been considered one of the most accurate referees in the game. He even called a “perfect game” behind the plate In the 2022 World Series.

MLB started his study of Hoberg during spring training last year and he was pulled from the field during the investigation. He did not call a game during the 2024 season. Hoberg was officially fired on May 31st. He appealed the decision, which was what led to Monday’s decision.

“The strict enforcement of the Major League Baseball’s rules for sports betting is a critical component of maintaining our most important priority: To protect the integrity of our fans,” Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement.

“A comprehensive study revealed no evidence that Mr. Hoberg placed bets on baseball directly or that he or any other manipulated game in any way. However, his extremely bad judgment in sharing betting accounts with a professional poker player he had reason to Believe in Bet on baseball and who actually bet on baseball from the shared accounts, combined with his deletion of messages, creates the least appearance of dishonesty that guarantees to introduce the most serious discipline.

“Therefore, there is just reason to maintain Mr. Hoberg’s termination so as not to comply with high standards of personal behavior and to maintain the integrity of the baseball game.”

Hoberg can apply for reintroduction starting in spring training in 2026.

The gambling event is just the latest in both baseball and in the sports world in general. Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter was arrested after a massive game scandal that took over the league in the construction of the start of last season. Several other players – Padres -Infielder Tucupita Marcano, A’s Reliever Michael Kelly, Padres Pitcher Jay Groome, Phillies -Infielder José Rodríguez and Diamondbacks Pitcher Andrew Saalfrank – were either banned for life or suspended for games at baseball.

There is also a federal study of a game ring in basketball that started with the former Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter being banned for life for his role. It has since been expanded to include Miami Heat Guard Terry Rozier and more college teams.