MLB suspends umpire Pat Hoberg for violating gambling regulations

It was only a matter of time before an umpire was arrested for gambling. On Friday, MLB suspended umpire Pat Hoberg for violating the league’s gambling rules. Shortly before, MLB permanently banned former San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano for betting on his team’s games and suspended four other players for a year for violating MLB’s betting rules.

Chicago White Sox manager Pedro Grifol argues a call with MLB home plate umpire Pat Hoberg in the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Obviously, both of these stories are trumped by the ordeal involving Shohei Ohtani. In early June, his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, pleaded guilty to bank and tax fraud after stealing around $17 million from Ohtani to cover his illegal gambling debts to a Southern California bookie. Fortunately for Ohtani and Los Angeles Dodgers fans, he was not involved in any illegal activity himself.

Hoberg became a full-time MLB umpire in 2017 after starting part-time work in 2014. This suspension comes as a surprise considering Hoberg is known for correctly predicting all 129 balls and strikes in Game 2 of the 2022 World Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Houston Astros.

Since this is a “suspension” and not a “ban,” I assume Hoberg did not bet on any of the games he umpired. However, this is just speculation on my part, and MLB has said it will not comment further until Hoberg’s appeal is complete. OutKick will continue to monitor the situation and provide further details as they become available.

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