MLB Umpire Disciplined for Sports Betting Violations

Apr 30, 2023; Mexico City, Mexico; Home plate umpire Pat Hoberg (31) calls an out in the fifth inning during a MLB World Tour game between the San Diego Padres and the San Francisco Giants at Estadio Alfredo Harp Helu. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY SportsProfessional baseball has disciplined MLB umpire Pat Hoberg for gambling violationsThe nature of the discipline, or the violations, is unknown at this pointHoberg is appealing the decision

Another week, another gambling controversy with professional sports.

Late Friday night, MLB announced it began an investigation regarding umpire Pat Hoberg during spring training for a possible violation of the league’s sports betting policies. The league cited that Hoberg did not compromise or manipulate any games, but determined that discipline is warranted.

Hoberg has appealed the decision.

Sports Betting Violations in MLB

Hoberg has not umpired a game this season. The exact nature of the discipline, or his violations, are not known at this point.

“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,” the MLB said in its statement.

Hoberg was investigated as potentially violating MLB Rule 21, which disallows any player, umpire club or league official or employee from betting any sum whatsoever upon a baseball game. Those found betting on baseball where they have “no duty to perform” will be declared ineligible for one year, while a bettor that “has a duty to perform” will be declared permanently ineligible.

According to Bob Nightengale, a USA Today MLB columnist, on X, the Major League Baseball Umpires Association released the following statement on the investigation:

“The Major League Baseball Umpires Association was made aware in Spring Training that Umpire Pat Hoberg was being investigated for potential violation of Major League Baseball’s sports betting policies. We have been working with Pat since then. We are now appealing the discipline issued by Major League Baseball. Because the appeal process is ongoing, the Union cannot discuss the matter. We will have no further comment until the appeal process is complete.”

Nightengale also provided the following statement from Hoberg as well:

“We also provide the following statement from Umpire Pat Hoberg:I am appealing Major League Baseball’s determination that I should be disciplined for violating the sports betting policies. 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.’’

Second Sports Betting Violation since June

The announcement came nearly two weeks after MLB banned San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano for life after he was found to have placed hundreds of bets on baseball, including his own team, from Oct. 16, 2022, through Nov. 1, 2023. Four other players were suspended for one year for also betting on baseball.

Betting data showed Marcano placed 387 baseball bets from Oct. 16, 2022, through Nov. 1, 2023. In total, Marcano placed more than $150,000 on baseball, with $87,319 of that total on MLB-related bets. Of these bets, 25 in total involved the Pittsburgh Pirates while Marcano was assigned to the team.

However, Marcano did not appear in any of the games he bet on, as he was on the injured list for a season-ending knee injury on July 24, 2023.

Major league player Michael Kelly (Oakland Athletics pitcher) and Minor League players Jay Groome (Padres pitcher), José Rodríguez (Philadelphia Phillies infielder) and Andrew Saalfrank (Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher), have all been suspended for one year by MLB.