In a significant move to uphold the integrity of professional baseball, Major League Baseball (MLB) has terminated umpire Pat Hoberg for violating the league’s strict gambling policies. Commissioner Rob Manfred announced the decision, making Hoberg, 38, the first known umpire in MLB history to be fired due to gambling-related issues.
What Led to Pat Hoberg’s Termination?
While MLB’s investigation found no evidence that Hoberg directly bet on baseball games, the issue stemmed from his association with a professional poker player—his close friend—who did place bets on baseball.
The two shared a sports betting account, and through this account, a total of 141 baseball bets were placed, including bets during five games where Hoberg was either officiating on the field or working in the replay booth in New York.
Between December 2020 and January 2024, Hoberg’s betting activities amounted to 529 direct bets totaling over $709,600, although these were primarily on sports like football, basketball, hockey, and golf. Hoberg admitted to betting on these sports but denied ever betting on baseball. However, MLB found that he deleted key messages during the investigation, raising serious concerns about transparency and judgment.
MLB’s Stance on Gambling and Integrity
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred emphasized the league’s zero-tolerance policy regarding activities that could compromise the integrity of the game. In a statement, Manfred said:
“The strict enforcement of Major League Baseball’s rules governing sports betting conduct is a critical component of upholding our most important priority: protecting the integrity of our games for the fans.”
Manfred noted that while Hoberg may not have directly influenced any games, his poor judgment, sharing of betting accounts, and attempts to hide information created an “appearance of impropriety” that warranted the harshest penalty—termination.
The Investigation Details
The investigation began in February 2024 after MLB received information from a licensed sports betting operator that Hoberg had opened an online betting account linked to the device of his friend, the professional poker player. Key findings included:
- 529 bets placed from 2020 to 2024, totaling over $709,600.
- Losses of around $75,876 across non-baseball sports.
- 141 baseball bets placed by Hoberg’s friend, totaling over $213,000, with winnings of $34,583.
- Five games involved Hoberg either as an umpire or in the replay booth, though no evidence of game manipulation was found.
Despite the absence of direct betting on baseball by Hoberg, MLB concluded that he knew or should have known that his associate was betting on baseball. Hoberg’s deletion of critical messages further undermined his credibility during the investigation.
Pat Hoberg’s Response
In a heartfelt statement following his termination, Hoberg expressed regret:
“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. That said, to be clear, I have never and would never bet on baseball in any way, shape, or form.”
Hoberg acknowledged that his actions fell short of the high standards expected of MLB umpires but maintained that he never provided inside information for betting purposes.
The Umpires Association’s Position
The MLB Umpires Association respected MLB’s decision, stating:
“As Major League Baseball umpires, we have devoted our professional lives to upholding the rules and integrity of the game. If our union believed that an umpire bet on baseball, we would never defend him.”
The association acknowledged that while Hoberg did not directly bet on baseball, his acceptance of responsibility justified the league’s disciplinary action.
Can Pat Hoberg Return to MLB?
Hoberg has the right to apply for reinstatement in 2026, similar to how former players like Pete Rose had the chance to appeal bans. However, considering the severity of the case and MLB’s strict stance on gambling, it’s unlikely that Hoberg will ever officiate another MLB game.
The firing of Pat Hoberg sends a clear message: Major League Baseball will not compromise on the integrity of the game. Even without direct evidence of betting on baseball, Hoberg’s association with a known gambler, poor judgment, and attempts to obscure the investigation’s findings were enough to end his career in the league.
As sports betting becomes more accessible, MLB’s actions underscore the critical importance of maintaining strict boundaries to protect the game’s fairness and credibility.
