Renowned umpire who called a flawless 2022 World Series game dismissed for sharing betting account with a professional poker player.
In a shocking turn of events, Major League Baseball (MLB) announced on Monday that umpire Pat Hoberg has been fired for violating the league’s strict betting policy.
Hoberg, celebrated for his impeccable performance during Game 2 of the 2022 World Series, was found to have shared a legal sports betting account with a professional poker player who wagered on baseball games.
The decision to terminate Hoberg’s employment was initially made in May 2024, but the umpire appealed the ruling. An independent investigation upheld the firing, and the final decision was revealed this week. According to MLB regulations, Hoberg can apply for reinstatement as early as the 2026 spring training season.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred addressed the situation in a press release, stating:
“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.”
Hoberg, through the Major League Baseball Umpires Association, issued a statement taking full responsibility for his actions.
“I take full responsibility for the errors in judgment that are outlined in today’s statement. Those errors will always be a source of shame and embarrassment to me,” he said. “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.”
Hoberg’s dismissal has sent ripples through the baseball community, as he was widely regarded as one of the league’s top umpires. His games behind the plate consistently earned high marks on Umpire Scorecards, and his performance during Game 2 of the 2022 World Series was nothing short of historic.
In that game, Hoberg achieved a 100% accuracy score, correctly calling all 129 pitches. Despite his flawless officiating, the Phillies, led by pitcher Zack Wheeler, fell to the Astros 5-2 at Minute Maid Park.
Hoberg’s firing underscores MLB’s zero-tolerance approach to gambling-related violations, especially in light of the league’s efforts to maintain the integrity of the sport. As the baseball world processes this news, fans and analysts alike will be watching to see if Hoberg can rebuild his career and reputation in the years to come.
For now, the legacy of the umpire who once called a perfect game in the World Series is tarnished, serving as a stark reminder of the high standards expected of those who uphold the rules of America’s pastime.
