Major League Baseball (MLB) umpire Pat Hoberg is facing discipline from the league for allegedly violating its gambling policies, according to a statement obtained by Sportico on Friday. The matter was first reported by The Athletic and has now been appealed in the grievance process, with Commissioner Rob Manfred set to hear the appeal. Hoberg, who has been a full-time MLB umpire since 2017, has not officiated any games this season as a result of an investigation into his actions.
The investigation began during spring training and led to Hoberg’s removal from the field pending the outcome. While MLB did not find any evidence that games worked by Hoberg were compromised, the league determined that disciplinary action was necessary. This news comes on the heels of the suspension of five players earlier in the month for betting on baseball games, with San Diego Padres prospect Tucupita Marcano receiving a lifetime ban for betting on games he participated in while playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The other four players involved in the betting scandal – Jay Groom, Michael Kelly, Jose Rodriguez, and Andrew Saalfrank – were suspended for one year for legally betting on games in which they had no involvement. MLB has not disclosed specific details about Hoberg’s alleged infractions and has stated that further comments will be made after concluding the appeal process. All MLB personnel are bound by Rule 21, which prohibits gambling on baseball by players, managers, coaches and umpires while legal gambling on other sports is allowed only in states where it is legal. Betting on non-baseball sports illegally in other states is strictly forbidden.
